Audit the Pentagon Act
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Introduced
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
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
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?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 2026, S. 5185 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5185?
- S. 5185 was sponsored by Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT] (Independent-VT), with 13 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5185?
- Introduced (30 Jul 2026).
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