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H.R. 4125 117th Congress House

Keep the Watchdogs Running Act

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

Introduced: June 24, 2021 Introduced by: Gerald E. Connolly Democrat · Virginia See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics AppropriationsExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment studies and investigations
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 20, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 20, 2021
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 24, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Jun 24, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 20, 2021

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Keep the Watchdogs Running Act

This bill authorizes a federal office of inspector general (OIG) to continue performing its duties during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).

During a lapse in appropriations, the OIG may obligate funds (1) at the rate of operations and under the terms and conditions provided in the most recently enacted appropriations act, and (2) to perform its duties with respect to any program that continues during the lapse in appropriations.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 2273 Identical bill Keep the Watchdogs Running Act
  • HR 5832 Reintroduced Bill Keep the Watchdogs Running Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4125: Keep the Watchdogs Running Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4125/
MLA
"H.R. 4125: Keep the Watchdogs Running Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4125/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4125, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4125/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4125: Keep the Watchdogs Running Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4125/)
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