H.R. 2180 – Keep the Watchdogs Running Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 1:47 AM UTC

The Keep the Watchdogs Running Act lets federal Inspectors General keep their offices open and keep working even if Congress has not passed a new funding bill. It gives IGs the ability to spend money in advance, based on the last approved budget, so they can continue oversight of ongoing programs during a funding lapse. This applies to all federal IG offices and helps maintain government accountability when appropriations are delayed.

Key Provisions

Amends the law governing Inspectors General (5 U.S.C. § 406(g)) to let an IG incur obligations in advance when there is a lapse in appropriations.
Allows the IG to spend up to the amount needed, using the rates and authority from the most recent appropriations act, to keep the office operating.
Permits the IG to continue performing its oversight duties for any programs that remain active during the funding gap.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2180, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

November 20, 2025 • 5:41 PM

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 18, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

March 18, 2025

HouseFloor

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2180, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

November 20, 2025 • 5:41 PM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 2180 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. James R. WalkinshawD-VA-11 · Nov 20, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2180, the Keep the Watchdogs Running Act; H.R. 759, the Federal Firefighters Families First…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 18, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2180

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 18, 2025

Mr. Connolly introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

A BILL

To authorize Inspectors General to continue operations during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Keep the Watchdogs Running Act.

2.

Inspector general oversight during lapse in appropriations

Section 406(g) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Oversight during lapse in appropriations

Notwithstanding any other provision of law and in addition to any other authority, during a lapse in appropriations, an Inspector General may incur obligations in advance of appropriations—

(A)

for such amounts as may be necessary and at a rate for operations and under the authority and conditions as provided in the most recently enacted appropriations Acts; and

(B)

to perform the duties of the Office with respect to any program and operation of the establishment that continues during the lapse in appropriations.

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