To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5245
Last Updated: December 15, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

ID: L000599

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.

September 18, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of bureaucratic doublespeak, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this monstrosity, shall we?

**Diagnosis:** This appropriations bill is a classic case of "Legislative Lipstick on a Pig." It's a thinly veiled attempt to justify increased spending and consolidate power within the Department of State.

**Symptoms:**

1. **Funding amounts and budget allocations:** The bill authorizes a whopping $[insert amount] for the Department of State, with no clear breakdown of how these funds will be allocated. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that this number happens to match the exact amount requested by the Secretary of State. 2. **Key programs and agencies receiving funds:** The Under Secretary for Management gets a nice chunk of change to "manage" various aspects of the Department, including acquisitions, human resources, and information technology. Because what every government agency needs is more middle management. 3. **Notable increases or decreases from previous years:** There's a suspicious lack of transparency regarding funding changes from previous years. I'm sure it's just an oversight that they forgot to include this information. 4. **Riders or policy provisions attached to funding:** Ah, the pièce de résistance! The bill includes a lovely provision allowing the Under Secretary for Management to sell off historic and artistic items from the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at fair market value. Because who needs cultural heritage when you can have a quick cash infusion? 5. **Fiscal impact and deficit implications:** Don't worry, folks! This bill is completely fiscally responsible... said no one ever. The increased spending will undoubtedly contribute to our nation's already- bloated deficit, but hey, who's counting?

**Treatment:**

* Administer a healthy dose of skepticism regarding the true intentions behind this bill. * Prescribe a strong antidote for bureaucratic bloat by eliminating unnecessary middle management positions. * Perform an emergency appendectomy on the provision allowing the sale of historic and artistic items. It's a tumor that needs to be excised before it metastasizes into further cultural vandalism.

**Prognosis:**

This bill will likely pass with flying colors, thanks to the usual suspects in Congress who are more interested in lining their own pockets than serving the public interest. The American people will be left footing the bill for this legislative monstrosity, while the politicians and bureaucrats reap the benefits of increased power and spending.

In short, this appropriations bill is a textbook example of how to turn a simple funding request into a bureaucratic nightmare. Congratulations, Congress! You've managed to create another masterpiece of legislative incompetence.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$86,668
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$85,668

No PAC contributions found

1
MURTAGH, COSSU, VENDITTI & CASTRO-BLANCO, LLP
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
BATMASIAN, JAMES
2 transactions
$13,200
2
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
2 transactions
$13,068
3
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
2 transactions
$7,800
4
AUSTIN, ROBERT
1 transaction
$6,600
5
SCALA, MARY ELLEN
1 transaction
$5,300
6
PERLMUTTER, RAFUEL
1 transaction
$3,400
7
BANKE, BARBARA
1 transaction
$3,300
8
BERTUSSI, THOMAS P. MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
9
BOONE, DAN
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CHRISTIE, CHRIS
1 transaction
$3,300
11
CLAUGUS, THOMAS
1 transaction
$3,300
12
DUBITSKY, ALEX
1 transaction
$3,300
13
FORCHHEIMER, JODY
1 transaction
$3,300
14
GINSBURG, MARTIN
1 transaction
$3,300
15
GROSSMAN, JAY
1 transaction
$3,300
16
HARRIS, JOSH
1 transaction
$3,300
17
HUGIN, KATHLEEN
1 transaction
$3,300

Donor Network - Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

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Showing 19 nodes and 21 connections

Total contributions: $86,668

Top Donors - Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

1 Org17 Individuals