WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Agency Accountability Act Tuesday, a bill designed to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability over the executive branch.

“Congress has given far too much power and authority to the executive branch and it is far past time for us to start taking it back,” Sen. Lee said. “By forcing government agencies to get approval from Congress before spending government money, the Agency Accountability Act is an essential element of any effort to rein in executive branch overreach.”

Specifically, the Agency Accountability Act would direct any agency that receives a fee, fine, penalty, or settlement to deposit that money into the general fund of the Treasury. Exceptions are made for the Postal Service, Patent and Trademark Office, as well as loan guarantee and insurance programs.