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Federal Rainy Day Fund: New Rules for Disaster Funding and Spending Control.

This law establishes the Federal Rainy Day Fund, dedicating 2% of previous non-emergency discretionary spending annually to cover future disasters and crises. This mechanism ensures that federal aid for natural disasters and emergencies is financed by pre-saved funds rather than immediate debt accumulation. It also introduces strict Senate rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to use these funds for non-emergency purposes or to bypass budget limits.
Key points
Creation of a dedicated savings account: 2% of annual discretionary spending will be set aside specifically for disaster relief and emergencies.
Savings First Policy: The government must exhaust the Rainy Day Fund before using general Treasury funds for emergency costs.
Tighter Budget Control: It becomes significantly harder for Congress to bypass spending caps by designating non-disaster items as "emergency" spending.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_718
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Process start date: 2023-03-08