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H.R. 856 · Government Operations and Politics
Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act
Introduced Jan 31, 2025 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
What does this mean?

When the federal government buys goods or services, it sometimes uses a method called "lowest price technically acceptable," which basically means picking the cheapest bid that meets the minimum requirements, rather than the best overall option. This bill directs the White House's budget and management office to study whether that cheapest-bid approach has created any security risks for the country—for example, in contracts involving sensitive equipment or technology—and then report what it finds to Congress. It doesn't change how agencies buy things right now; it just requires this review to happen first.

Read the official CRS summary on Congress.gov →
Bill Lifecycle
Real action history from Congress.gov — where this bill is in the process, and every recorded step along the way.
Introduced in House
Jan 31, 2025
Referred to Committee
Jan 31, 2025
Passed House
Mar 3, 2025
Received in Senate
Mar 4, 2025
Full action history (11)
Jan 31, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Jan 31, 2025Introduced in House
Mar 3, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 3, 2025On 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)
Mar 3, 2025Passed/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)
Mar 3, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H937-938)
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