Skip to main content
HR 2963 104th Congress House

Keep the Government Open Act of 1996

Official title: To amend subchapter III of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code (popularly known as the Anti-Deficiency Act), to allow the United States to enter into co… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend subchapter III of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code (popularly known as the Anti-Deficiency Act), to allow the United States to enter into contracts or obligations during a lapse in appropriations if the President determines that a sufficient appropriation is likely to be made for that purpose before the end of the fiscal year, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 6, 1996 See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance AppropriationsArmed Forces and National SecurityCongressContinuing resolutions
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Federal employeesGovernment Operations and PoliticsMilitary paySalaries
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1703)
Feb 22, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Feb 13, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E196)
Feb 6, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Feb 6, 1996
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 5, 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1703)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Keep the Government Open Act of 1996 - Amends Federal law to allow an officer or employee of the United States or of the District of Columbia to make a contract or obligation before an appropriation is made if the President determines that an appropriation is likely for that purpose before the end of the fiscal year in an amount exceeding the contract or obligation.

Allows a U.S. officer or employee to continue to supply personal services before an appropriation or continuing resolution is enacted if the President determines that an appropriation is likely for that purpose before the end of the fiscal year in an amount exceeding the cost to the government. Requires payment for those services even if no appropriation is enacted if the President so determines. Appropriates funds to pay salaries for each day on which funds are not available (unless an appropriations measure is enacted for the applicable department or agency and the measure makes no appropriation for that salary).

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Democratic 8
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Mar 14, 1996
 D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · Mar 14, 1996
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Mar 14, 1996
FROST, MARTIN
· Mar 14, 1996
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Mar 14, 1996
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Mar 14, 1996
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · Mar 14, 1996
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Feb 6, 1996
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Feb 6, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2963: Keep the Government Open Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2963/
MLA
"H.R. 2963: Keep the Government Open Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2963/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2963, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2963/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2963: Keep the Government Open Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2963/)
Report a problem