Summary: Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to provide for a pay increase to covered Government Accountability Office (GAO) officers and employees if the increase that would otherwise take effect would be less than the required minimum percentage (equal to the total annual pay adjustment for General Schedule positions within a pay locality); and (2) nonpermanent merit pay to a such an officer or employee to be decreased by an amount equal to the portion of such person's basic pay that is attributable to the increase provided by this Act.Defines a "covered officer or employee" to mean a Government Accountability Office (GAO) officer or employee whose performance is at least at a satisfactory level and who is not a member of the Senior Executive Service, a Federal Wage System employee, or an employee who is in GAO's entry-level developmental programs.(Sec. 3) Requires the Comptroller General, within six months, to pay to a GAO employee who did not receive a permanent base pay increase in 2006 and 2007 a lump sum payment. Requires the lump sum payment to be: (1) applied prospectively; and (2) treated as basic pay for purposes of any determination of the average pay.Requires the GAO to deduct and withhold from such lump-sum payments employee contributions to, and to pay the applicable agency contribution to, the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.Provides for an exclusive remedy for individuals with claims that they are owed any money denied to them in the form of pay increases for 2006 or 2007.(Sec. 4) Requires the Comptroller General to pay each qualified individual a lump-sum payment equal to the amount of performance-based compensation such individual was denied for 2006. Defines "qualified individual" to mean an individual who is: (1) a GAO officer or employee, excluding members of the Senior Executive Service, Federal Wage System employees, and employees in GAO's entry-level developmental programs; and (2) a Band I staff member with a salary above the Band I cap, a Band IIA staff member with a salary above the Band IIA cap, or an administrative professional or support staff member with a salary above the cap for that individual's pay band.(Sec. 5) Establishes an Office of the Inspector General in GAO to: (1) conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to GAO; (2) provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in GAO; and (3) keep the Comptroller General and Congress informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of GAO programs and operations.Authorizes the Inspector General to receive and investigate complaints or information from GAO employees concerning the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, mismanagement, or a gross waste of funds. Requires the Inspector General to refer complaints or information concerning violations of personnel law to established investigative and adjudicative GAO entities.Prohibits the Inspector General from disclosing the identity of an employee who submitted a complaint or information without the employee's consent, unless such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.Prohibits employees who have authority for personnel actions from taking or threatening action against employees as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information, unless the complaint or disclosure was made with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.Requires the Inspector General to report semiannually to the Comptroller General on the Office's activities. Requires the Comptroller General's annual report to Congress to assess the overall degree of federal agency cooperation with GAO audits.Prohibits the Comptroller General from preventing the Inspector General from carrying out any his or her responsibilities under this Act.(Sec. 6) Requires any executive agency that prepares an audited financial statement to reimburse GAO for the cost of any GAO audit of such statement if GAO audited the statement or schedule of such agency for fiscal year 2007. Requires the GAO to consult with the relevant executive agency and the Inspector General of such agency prior to the initiation of the audit on the scope, terms, and cost of such audit.(Sec. 7) Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise the coverage of certain GAO officers and employees under its financial disclosure requirements.(Sec. 8) Revises the highest basic pay rate for GAO personnel from GS-15 to Executive Level III.Increases from 15 to 20 the number of experts and consultants whose services the Comptroller General may procure for renewable three-year terms at rates up to level IV of the Executive Schedule.Makes funds appropriated to GAO for salaries and expenses also available for recruitment-related meals and entertainment.

government accountability office act sec requires comptroller general provide pay increase covered government_accountability_office gao officers employees increase effect required minimum percentage equal total annual pay adjustment general_schedule positions pay locality merit pay officer employee decreased equal portion person basic pay attributable increase provided act defines covered officer employee mean government_accountability_office gao officer employee performance satisfactory level member senior_executive_service federal wage system employee employee gao entry level developmental requires comptroller general months pay gao employee receive permanent base pay increase lump sum payment requires lump sum payment applied treated basic pay purposes determination average pay requires gao deduct withhold lump sum payments employee contributions pay applicable agency contribution civil_service_retirement_and_disability_fund provides exclusive remedy individuals claims owed money denied form pay increases requires comptroller general pay qualified individual lump sum payment equal performance based compensation individual denied defines qualified individual mean individual gao officer employee excluding members senior_executive_service employees employees gao entry level developmental programs band staff member salary band cap staff member salary cap administrative professional support staff member salary cap individual pay gao conduct supervise audits investigations relating gao provide leadership coordination recommend policies promote economy efficiency effectiveness gao comptroller_general congress informed concerning fraud problems abuses deficiencies relating administration gao programs operations authorizes inspector general receive investigate complaints information gao employees concerning possible existence activity constituting violation law mismanagement gross waste funds requires inspector general refer complaints information concerning violations personnel law established investigative adjudicative gao entities prohibits inspector general disclosing identity employee submitted complaint information employee consent disclosure unavoidable course investigation prohibits employees authority personnel actions taking threatening action employees reprisal making complaint disclosing information complaint disclosure knowledge false willful disregard truth requires inspector general report semiannually comptroller_general office activities requires comptroller_general annual report congress assess overall degree federal agency cooperation gao audits prohibits comptroller general preventing inspector general carrying responsibilities requires executive agency prepares audited financial statement reimburse gao cost gao audit statement gao audited statement schedule agency fiscal year requires gao consult relevant executive agency inspector general agency prior initiation audit scope terms cost amends ethics government act revise coverage certain gao officers employees financial disclosure revises highest basic pay rate gao personnel number experts consultants services comptroller general procure renewable year terms rates level executive schedule makes funds appropriated gao salaries expenses available recruitment related meals entertainment


Summary: Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission to: (1) develop a clear definition of what constitutes an earmark; and (2) report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President and Congress. Requires the Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives and of the Senate to introduce (by request) the legislation recommended in the report.

act establishes develop clear definition constitutes earmark report findings conclusions recommendations president congress requires majority leaders house_of_representatives senate introduce request legislation recommended report


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from proposing, prescribing, or implementing any regulation pursuant to the prohibition against acceptance of a financial instrument for unlawful internet gambling, including certain proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2007.

prohibits secretary treasury board_of_governors federal_reserve_system proposing prescribing implementing regulation pursuant prohibition acceptance financial instrument unlawful internet gambling including certain proposed regulations published federal_register october


Summary: Federal Sunset Act of 2008 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2033. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.

federal sunset act establishes submit congress schedule review commission years abolishment reorganization agency review evaluate efficiency public need agency specified criteria recommend agency abolished reorganized report congress legislation introduced establish new agency new program carried existing agency requires abolishment agency year commission review agency reauthorized congress authorizes deadline abolishing agency extended additional years legislation enacted super majority house_of_representatives senate terminates commission december directs comptroller_general director congressional_budget_office cooperation director congressional_research_service prepare inventory federal programs agency purpose advising assisting congress commission carrying requirements act


Summary: Electronic Message Preservation Act - Requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records and to periodically review and amend, as necessary, such regulations. Requires such regulations to: (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such electronic records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; (3) establish mandatory minimum functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to certify federal agency compliance with such requirements; (4) include timelines for federal agency compliance; and (5) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records.Requires the head of each federal agency to report to the Archivist on the agency's compliance with the Archivist's regulations. Requires the Archivist to report to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on federal agency compliance. Requires the Archivist to: (1) establish standards for the management of presidential records during a President's term of office, including records management controls necessary for the capture, management, and preservation of electronic messages and for ensuring that electronic messages are readily accessible for retrieval through electronic searches; (2) certify annually whether records management controls established by a President meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act; and (3) report annually to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the status of such certification. Requires the Archivist to report to Congress one year after the conclusion of a President's term of office on: (1) the volume and format of presidential records deposited into the archival depository; and (2) whether records management controls of a President meet the requirements of this Act and the Presidential Records Act. Requires the Archivist to prescribe internal procedures to prevent the unauthorized removal of classified records from the National Archives and Records Administration or the destruction or damage of such records.Prohibits the Archivist from providing access to original presidential records to individuals who have been convicted of a crime relating to the review, retention, removal, or destruction of records of the National Archives.

electronic message preservation act requires archivist united_states promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation electronic messages federal records periodically review amend necessary regulations requires regulations require electronic capture management preservation electronic records accordance require records retrievable electronic searches establish mandatory minimum functional requirements electronic records management systems process certify federal agency compliance requirements include timelines federal agency compliance include requirements capture management preservation electronic records requires head federal agency report archivist agency compliance archivist regulations requires archivist report house_committee_on_oversight_and_government_reform senate_committee_on_homeland_security governmental_affairs federal agency compliance requires archivist establish standards management presidential records president term office including records management controls necessary capture management preservation electronic messages ensuring electronic messages readily accessible retrieval electronic searches certify annually records management controls established president meet requirements presidential_records_act report annually house_committee_on_oversight_and_government_reform senate_committee_on_homeland_security governmental_affairs status certification requires archivist report congress year conclusion president term office volume format presidential records deposited archival depository records management controls president meet requirements act presidential_records_act requires archivist prescribe internal procedures prevent unauthorized removal classified records national_archives_and_records_administration destruction damage records prohibits archivist providing access original presidential records individuals convicted crime relating review retention removal destruction records national_archives


Summary: Trust in Reliable Understanding of Consumer Costs Act, or the TRUCC Act - Amends federal transportation law to require certain fuel costs disclosures and fuel costs reimbursements by a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder providing or arranging transportation or service using fuel for which it does not bear the cost. Requires such a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to: (1) reimburse persons (truckers) that do bear fuel costs for any such costs they have paid; and (2) give such persons a written list that identifies any freight charge, brokerage fee or commission, fuel surcharge or adjustment, and any other charges. Prohibits any person from causing a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to present false or misleading information on a document or in an oral representation about the actual rate, charge, or allowance to any party to the transaction or transportation.

trust reliable understanding consumer costs act act amends federal transportation law require certain fuel costs disclosures fuel costs reimbursements motor carrier broker freight providing arranging transportation service fuel bear cost requires motor carrier broker freight reimburse persons truckers bear fuel costs costs paid persons written list identifies freight charge brokerage fee commission fuel surcharge adjustment charges prohibits person causing motor carrier broker freight present false misleading information document oral representation actual rate charge allowance party transaction transportation


Summary: Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enhance its provision of international technical assistance regarding foreign consumer protection and competition regimes, including for consultations and meetings hosted by the FTC with foreign government agency officials and appropriate representatives and staff and related necessary administrative and logistical expenses.

authorizes appropriations federal_trade_commission ftc enhance provision international technical assistance foreign consumer protection competition regimes including consultations meetings ftc foreign government agency officials appropriate representatives staff related necessary administrative logistical expenses


Summary: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 with respect to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) searchable database website. Requires the website to allow the public to search programmatically and access all data in a serialized machine readable format (such as XML) via a web-services application programming interface. Specifies additional information on federal awards the website must include by certain deadlines. Requires the website to present information about federal awards and their recipients in ways that meet the needs of users with different levels of understanding about government spending and abilities using searching websites. Sets forth requirements of the Director of OMB to add specified data quality enhancements to the website. Requires the Director to ensure that the unique identifier used to link information on the website is also used to link information about performance of individual contractors and recipients of financial assistance starting with awards given in FY2008. Requires the chief executive officer of an award recipient to certify whether the entity has: (1) filed all federal tax returns required during the preceding five years; (2) been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) an outstanding debt under the Code for which a notice of lien has been publicly filed that is not being paid in a timely manner, or for which a collection due process hearing or relief is requested or pending. Requires the Director to: (1) develop certification forms; (2) ensure that each agency providing federal awards complies with tax compliance requirements; and (3) ensure that the website contains such certified information.

strengthening transparency accountability federal spending act amends federal funding accountability transparency act respect office_of_management_and_budget omb searchable database website requires website allow public search programmatically access data machine readable format web services application programming interface specifies additional information federal awards website include certain deadlines requires website present information federal awards recipients ways meet needs users different levels understanding government spending abilities searching websites sets forth requirements director omb add specified data quality enhancements website requires director ensure unique identifier link information website link information performance individual contractors recipients financial assistance starting awards given fy2008 requires chief executive officer award recipient certify entity filed federal tax returns required preceding years convicted criminal offense internal revenue code outstanding debt code notice lien publicly filed paid timely manner collection process hearing relief requested pending requires director develop certification forms ensure agency providing federal awards complies tax compliance requirements ensure website contains certified information


Summary: Major Regulation Cost Review Act of 2008 - Requires each federal agency to publish in the Federal Register a plan for the periodic review of its major rules. Requires review of all existing major rules within five years and of all new rules within five years after their publication as a final rule.Directs an agency to consider: (1) the continued need for the rule; (2) the nature of public complaints or comments concerning the rule; (3) the complexity of the rule; (4) the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state, and local governmental rules; and (5) the length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule. Requires the review to include a cost-benefit analysis of the rule, including an identification and consideration of a range of less costly regulatory alternatives. Requires each agency, annually, to publish a list of the major rules which are to be reviewed and which are to be included in an accounting statement and associated report to be submitted to Congress by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

major regulation cost review act requires federal agency publish federal_register plan periodic review major rules requires review existing major rules years new rules years publication final rule directs agency consider continued need rule nature public complaints comments concerning rule complexity rule extent rule duplicates conflicts federal state local governmental rules length time rule evaluated degree technology economic conditions factors changed area affected rule requires review include cost benefit analysis rule including identification consideration range costly regulatory alternatives requires agency annually publish list major rules reviewed included accounting statement associated report submitted congress director office_of_management_and_budget omb


Summary: Reducing Information Control Designations Act - (Sec. 3) Requires each federal agency to reduce and minimize its use of information control designations on information that is not classified. Defines such designations to mean information dissemination controls that are not defined by federal statute or executive order relating to the classification of national security information and that are used to manage, direct, or route information or to control the accessibility of information, regardless of its form or format. Requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations to address: (1) standards for the use of the such designations to maximize public access to information; (2) the process for removing such designations; (3) procedures for identifying and tracking designated information; (4) provisions to minimize the use of such designations to prevent misuse and interference with competition in the private sector; and (5) a process for individuals and the public to challenge the use of such designations. Requires the head of each federal agency to: (1) implement the regulations promulgated by the Archivist to encourage the sharing of information; and (2) ensure that such designations do not determine public disclosure requirements under the Freedom of Information Act.(Sec. 4) Requires the Inspector General of each federal agency to randomly audit and report to Congress on unclassified information with such designations to determine compliance. Directs the Archivist to: (1) require personal identifiers and agency affiliations of individuals applying such designations: (2) require training of such individuals; and (3) implement a program to detail federal employees to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to train such employees. Terminates such detailee program on December 31, 2012.(Sec. 7) Requires promulgation of final regulations and implementation of the requirements of this Act within 24 months.

sec requires federal agency reduce minimize use information control designations information classified defines designations mean information dissemination controls defined federal statute executive order relating classification national security information manage direct route information control accessibility information regardless form format requires archivist united_states promulgate regulations address standards use designations maximize public access information process removing designations procedures identifying tracking designated information provisions minimize use designations prevent misuse interference competition private sector process individuals public challenge use designations requires head federal agency implement regulations promulgated archivist encourage sharing information ensure designations determine public disclosure requirements freedom information requires inspector general federal agency randomly audit report congress unclassified information designations determine compliance directs archivist require personal identifiers agency affiliations individuals applying designations require training individuals implement program detail federal employees national_archives_and_records_administration nara train employees terminates program december requires promulgation final regulations implementation requirements act months


Summary: Federal Efficiency and Performance Act of 2008 - Requires the President to recommend to Congress, with proposed legislation, which existing federal programs and agencies should be modernized, consolidated, reprioritized, and where necessary, terminated in order to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency and effectiveness of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies, programs, and activities that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending that can be dedicated to federal deficit reduction.

requires president recommend congress proposed legislation existing federal programs agencies modernized consolidated necessary terminated order reduce federal expenditures increase efficiency effectiveness government operations eliminate overlap duplication federal programs offices abolish agencies programs activities longer serve important governmental purpose identify reductions amounts discretionary budget authority direct spending dedicated federal deficit reduction


Summary: Federal Agency Performance Review and Efficiency Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to make it the principal duty and responsibility of each Inspector General to review annually the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of all federal programs within his or her establishment and to report to Congress and the President any recommendations, along with proposed legislation, on whether an abolishment, reorganization, consolidation, or transfer of existing federal programs and agencies is necessary to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies or programs that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending that can be dedicated to federal deficit reduction.

efficiency act amends inspector general act principal duty responsibility inspector general review annually operations efficiency effectiveness federal programs establishment report congress president recommendations proposed legislation abolishment reorganization consolidation transfer existing federal programs agencies necessary reduce federal expenditures increase efficiency government operations eliminate overlap duplication federal programs offices abolish agencies programs longer serve important governmental purpose identify reductions amounts discretionary budget authority direct spending dedicated federal deficit reduction


Summary: Requires the Comptroller General to develop and implement a systematic process to: (1) review audits by Inspectors General or external auditors of executive agency and government corporation programs, projects, and activities funded through earmarks; and (2) conduct annually an appropriate number of Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits of such earmark-funded programs, projects, and activities. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the results of: (1) audits of executive agency and government corporation financial statements by Inspector Generals or external auditors which were then submitted to GAO; (2) GAO reviews of such audits; and (3) annual GAO audits of earmark-funded agency programs, projects, and activities. Revises audit requirements for non-federal entities that expend federal awards totaling at least $300,000 or another amount specified by the Director of the General Assistance Administration. Requires submission to the Comptroller General of the results of all executive agency and government corporation audits of earmark-funded programs, projects, or activities.

requires comptroller general develop implement systematic process review audits inspectors_general external auditors executive agency government corporation programs projects activities funded earmarks conduct annually appropriate number government_accountability_office gao audits earmark funded programs projects activities requires comptroller general report congress results audits executive agency government corporation financial statements external auditors submitted gao gao reviews audits annual gao audits earmark funded agency programs projects activities revises audit requirements non federal entities expend federal awards totaling specified director requires submission comptroller_general results executive agency government corporation audits earmark funded programs projects activities


Summary: Debt Repayment Instead of Pork Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report providing new budget authority for earmarks if the enactment of such measure as reported, the adoption and enactment of that amendment, or the enactment of legislation in the form recommended in that conference report would cause the level of total outlays for earmarks for any fiscal year to exceed the amount of the estimated budget surplus for that fiscal year. Makes it out of order for any fiscal year in which there is no budget surplus to consider any such measure that carries an earmark. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), by March 1 of each calendar year, to prepare, and submit to the congressional budget committees, an estimate of the surplus or deficit for the next fiscal year.

debt repayment instead pork act amends congressional budget act order house_of_representatives senate consider bill joint resolution amendment motion conference report providing new budget authority earmarks enactment measure reported adoption enactment amendment enactment legislation form recommended conference report cause level total outlays earmarks fiscal year exceed estimated budget surplus fiscal year makes order fiscal year budget surplus consider measure carries earmark requires director congressional_budget_office cbo march calendar year prepare submit congressional budget committees estimate surplus deficit fiscal year


Summary: Federal Agency Program Realignment and Closure Act - Establishes the Federal Agency Program Realignment and Closure Commission to: (1) evaluate each executive agency and its programs; and (2) submit to the President and Congress a list of the agencies and programs it recommends eliminating or realigning.Requires the Commission to recommend that an agency or program be: (1) realigned where a function performed by two or more agencies or programs can be consolidated; (2) eliminated if it performs a function that is also provided by a state or that would be more efficient if performed at the state level; or (3) eliminated if it performs a function that can be more efficently performed by a private entity.

closure act establishes evaluate executive agency programs submit president congress list agencies programs recommends eliminating requires commission recommend agency program realigned function performed agencies programs consolidated eliminated performs function provided state efficient performed state level eliminated performs function performed private entity


Summary: Multilingual Services Accounting Act - Requires federal agency Chief Financial Officers to include multilingual services accounting information in their mandatory annual reports to the agency head and to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Defines multilingual services to include: (1) services provided by interpreters hired by an agency; (2) services resulting in additional expenses which an agency provides to assist its employees or contractors to learn a non-English language; (3) agency preparation, translation, printing, or recordation of materials in a language other than English; and (4) services provided or performed for the federal government by agency employees or contractors that require speaking a non-English language that result in wage differentials or benefits provided by the agency. Requires the OMB Director's annual financial management status report to certain congressional committees to contain a Multilingual Services Expenses Report that includes: (1) a summary and analysis of the multilingual services accounting information prepared by each agency Chief Financial Officer; and (2) a description of any changes to the existing financial management structure of the federal government needed to establish an integrated individual agency accounting of all multilingual services conducted by each agency. Requires the OMB Director to issue guidance that an agency Chief Financial Officer must follow in compiling multilingual services accounting information.

federal agency chief financial officers include multilingual services accounting information mandatory annual reports agency head director office_of_management_and_budget omb defines multilingual services include services provided interpreters hired agency services resulting additional expenses agency provides assist employees contractors learn non-english language agency preparation translation printing recordation materials language english services provided performed federal government agency employees contractors require speaking non-english language result wage differentials benefits provided agency requires omb director annual financial management status report certain congressional committees contain includes summary analysis multilingual services accounting information prepared agency chief financial officer description changes existing financial management structure federal government needed establish integrated individual agency accounting multilingual services conducted agency requires omb director issue guidance agency chief financial officer follow compiling multilingual services accounting information


Summary: Spending Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the concurrent budget resolution to include discretionary spending limit for five successive fiscal years. Sets forth points of order against consideration of legislation in Congress (currently, only the Senate) that would exceed for any fiscal year discretionary spending limit established in the most recent concurrent budget resolution for that fiscal year (currently, the Balanced Budget and Deficit Control Act of 1985 [Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act]). Makes such point of order inapplicable if a declaration of war by Congress is in effect. Sets forth points of orders for consideration of certain concurrent budget resolutions. Establishes discretionary spending limit for FY2009 as the number set forth in the FY2009 budget resolution. Permits waivers or suspension of such requirements, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Senate. Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to review and report to Congress on the efficiency and public need for each federal agency, recommending abolishment or reorganization. Provides for relocation of federal employees if their agency is abolished. Requires the Comptroller General and the Director of Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), to inventory federal programs to advise and assist Congress and the Commission in carrying out such requirements. Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform. Sets forth a point of order against consideration of legislation containing a congressional earmark or limited tax or tariff benefit. Establishes the Securing America's Future Economy Commission to examine the long-term fiscal challenges facing the United States and develop legislation designed to address specified issues. Authorizes the President and the House and Senate Budget Committees to propose alternative legislation. Requires the long-term CBO cost estimate of such proposals to be published in the Congressional Record.

spending reform act amends congressional budget act require concurrent budget resolution include discretionary spending limit successive fiscal years sets forth points order consideration legislation congress currently senate exceed fiscal year discretionary spending limit established recent concurrent budget resolution fiscal year currently balanced_budget deficit control act gramm rudman hollings act makes point order inapplicable declaration war congress effect sets forth points orders consideration certain concurrent budget resolutions establishes discretionary spending limit fy2009 number set forth fy2009 budget resolution permits waivers suspension requirements successful appeals rulings chair affirmative vote fifths senate establishes review report congress efficiency public need federal agency recommending abolishment reorganization provides relocation federal employees agency abolished requires comptroller general director congressional_budget_office cbo cooperation director congressional_research_service crs inventory federal programs advise assist congress commission carrying requirements establishes joint_select_committee earmark reform sets forth point order consideration legislation containing congressional earmark limited tax tariff benefit establishes securing_america examine long term fiscal challenges facing united_states develop legislation designed address specified issues authorizes president house senate_budget_committees propose alternative legislation requires long term cbo cost estimate proposals published congressional_record