H.R. 7286 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7286 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 30, 2022Mr. Cawthorn introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform A BILL To establish a commission to assess the total cost spent on relief during the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Excess Accountability and Surplus Expenditures Act or the CEASE Act. 2. Establishment There is established a commission to be known as the COVID–19 Funding Accountability Commission (in this Act referred to as the Commission). 3. Duties of Commission The Commission shall assess spending by the Federal Government related to relief during the COVID–19 pandemic, including— (1) the total amount of money spent by the Federal Government on such relief; (2) the total amount of money designated by the Federal Government for such relief that has been unspent as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) any other matters regarding such spending as the Commission determines appropriate. 4. Members (a) Number and appointment The Commission shall be composed of at least 2 but no more than 5 members from each agency (as such term is defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code), appointed by the head of the relevant agency. (b) Detailees Each member so appointed shall be a detailee, on a non-reimbursable basis, to the Commission. (c) Terms Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (d) Compensation Members of the Commission shall not receive any additional compensation as a result of being such a member. 5. Powers of Commission (a) Hearings The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. (b) Obtaining data The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. 6. Report Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report containing a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with the recommendations of the Commission for legislation, administrative actions, and any other matters the Commission considers appropriate. 7. Termination The Commission shall terminate after submitting the report to Congress pursuant to section 6.