Special Operating Authority for Rehearsal Act; SOAR Act
Summary
The SOAR Act (H.R. 7001) aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to provide an exception to certain provisions of Title 31 for the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the "Blue Angels," specifically concerning flight demonstrations or training events near Pensacola, Florida. This exception would allow the Secretary of the Navy to make contracts and incur obligations in advance of appropriations, bypassing certain sections related to fiscal management. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the SOAR Act would grant the Secretary of the Navy greater flexibility in managing the financial aspects of the Blue Angels' flight demonstrations and training events near Pensacola. This could streamline the process of securing resources and contracts necessary for these events. The immediate effect would be felt by the Navy and the local Pensacola community, potentially leading to more efficient event planning and execution.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined Operations: Allows the Navy to bypass certain budgetary restrictions, potentially speeding up the contracting process for Blue Angels events.
- Local Economic Boost: Facilitates events that draw tourists and generate revenue for the Pensacola area.
- Enhanced Training: Ensures the Blue Angels can maintain their training schedule without financial impediments.
- Improved Morale: Supports a high-profile Navy program, potentially boosting morale within the service.
- Increased Efficiency: Reduces bureaucratic hurdles, allowing for more efficient use of resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced Fiscal Oversight: Bypassing Title 31 provisions could lead to less stringent financial controls and potential for misuse of funds.
- Precedent Setting: Creating exceptions to standard budgetary procedures could encourage similar requests from other entities.
- Limited Scope: The benefits are highly localized and specific to a single program in one geographic area.
- Potential for Waste: Less oversight could lead to inefficient spending or contracts that are not in the best interest of taxpayers.
- Lack of Transparency: Reduced adherence to standard financial procedures could make it harder to track spending and ensure accountability.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and regulate the armed forces. The SOAR Act, by facilitating the operations of the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, could be argued to fall under this purview. However, the exception to Title 31 raises questions about Congress's power of the purse, as outlined in Article I, Section 9, which requires appropriations to be made by law before money is drawn from the Treasury. The act could be seen as an infringement on this power by allowing the Secretary of the Navy to bypass certain budgetary restrictions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).