Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act
This bill directs federal officials to evaluate whether policies that favor the lowest-priced bids for government contracts create national security vulnerabilities. The Office of Management and Budget must examine buying practices across both civilian and defense agencies, looking specifically at rules that award work to whoever meets minimum requirements for the least money. Within 180 days, the agency must report its findings to congressional oversight committees to help lawmakers decide if purchasing rules need tightening.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Congressional oversight committeesReceive a required report from OMB detailing any national security risks stemming from lowest-price contracting practices across federal agencies (Sec. 2(b)).
Who it burdens
- Office of Management and BudgetMust review defense and civilian agency procurement practices regarding lowest-price regulations and report findings to congressional committees within 180 days (Sec. 2(a), 2(b)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to review federal defense and civilian purchasing practices to determine whether lowest-price contracting rules pose any national security risks.
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report the findings of the procurement review to congressional oversight committees within 180 days of enactment.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 11 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 54). (text: CR H932)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 54). (text: CR H932)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H937-938)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 856.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H932-933)
- Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 54). (text: CR H932)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 54). (text: CR H932)
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act (H.R. 856, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-856. Congress.gov record as of Jul 18, 2026.