Audit the Pentagon Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
What this bill does
**Summary of S. 5185 — Audit the Pentagon Act**
This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to determine, for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2024, whether each department, agency, or other element of the Department of Defense has received an unqualified (i.e., "clean") audit opinion on its full financial statements for the corresponding calendar year. If a particular department, agency, or element fails to achieve a clean audit opinion, its funding for that fiscal year would automatically be reduced by 2.0 percent from the amount otherwise authorized. That reduction would be spread proportionally across all of that entity's programs, projects, and activities. The withheld funds would then be deposited into the U.S. Treasury's general fund specifically for deficit reduction, rather than being redirected elsewhere within the Department of Defense.
The bill directly affects the Department of Defense and its many component departments, agencies, and offices, creating a financial incentive for each of them to pass a full audit. It does not name specific dollar amounts, since the reduction is calculated as a percentage of whatever funding each entity is otherwise authorized to receive in a given year.
The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Senator Bernie Sanders along with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Audit the Pentagon Act
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reduce spending for any department, agency, or other DOD element that DOD determines has not achieved an unqualified opinion on its full financial statements for the calendar year ending during that fiscal year. (An unqualified opinion or clean audit means an auditor has determined the financial statements are presented fairly and provide a true view of an entity’s financial position.)
Specifically, the amount available to such department, agency, or element for the fiscal year when the determination is made must be reduced by 2%. Amounts unavailable to such department, agency, or element must be applied on a pro rata basis against each program, project, and activity.
DOD must deposit such unavailable amounts in the general fund of the Department of the Treasury for purposes of deficit reduction.
Timeline
30 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Common questions
- What does S. 5185 do?
- **Summary of S. 5185 — Audit the Pentagon Act** This bill would require the Secretary of Defense to determine, for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2024, whether each department, agency, or other element of the Department of Defense has received an unqualified (i.e., "clean") audit opinion on its full financial statements for the corresponding calendar year. If a particular department, agency, or element fails to achieve a clean audit opinion, its funding for that fiscal year would automatically be reduced by 2.0 percent from the amount otherwise authorized. That reduction would be spread proportionally across all of that entity's programs, projects, and activities. The withheld funds would then be deposited into the U.S. Treasury's general fund specifically for deficit reduction, rather than being redirected elsewhere within the Department of Defense. The bill directly affects the Department of Defense and its many component departments, agencies, and offices, creating a financial incentive for each of them to pass a full audit. It does not name specific dollar amounts, since the reduction is calculated as a percentage of whatever funding each entity is otherwise authorized to receive in a given year. The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Senator Bernie Sanders along with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could become law.
- Has S. 5185 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5185. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5185?
- S. 5185 was sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5185?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (30 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Armed Forces and National Security
Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2026
To authorize the Secretary of the Army to convey to the State of North Carolina a certain parcel of real property located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on which the State shall construct a veterans’ State home, and for other purposes.
PFB Act
More bills from Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026
Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026
Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act
Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.