PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 114-264.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 14, 2016
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 22, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Program Management Improvement Accountability Act
(Sec. 2) This bill establishes as additional functions of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements to:
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
adopt and oversee implementation of government-wide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies;
chair the Program Management Policy Council (established by this Act);
establish standards and policies for executive agencies consistent with widely accepted standards for program and project management planning and delivery;
engage with the private sector to identify best practices in program and project management that would improve federal program and project management;
conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office (GAO);
conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs at least annually to assess the quality and effectiveness of program management; and
establish a five-year strategic plan for program and project management.
The bill exempts the Department of Defense (DOD) from such provisions to the extent that they are substantially similar to: (1) federal provisions governing the defense acquisition workforce; or (2) policy, guidance, or instruction of DOD related to program management.
The head of each federal agency that is required to have a Chief Financial Officer shall designate a Program Management Improvement Officer to implement agency program management policies and develop a strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency. The OMB must submit a report containing such strategy within one year after enactment of this bill. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics shall be considered the Program Management Improvement Officer for DOD.
The Program Management Policy Council is established within OMB to act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management.
The Office of Personnel Management must issue regulations that: (1) identify key skills and competencies needed for an agency program and project manager, (2) establish a new job series or update and improve an existing job series for program and project management within an agency, and (3) establish a new career path for program and project managers.
The GAO must issue a report within three years of enactment, in conjunction with its high risk list, examining the effectiveness of the following (as required or established under this Act) on improving federal program and project management:
the standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management;
the strategic plan;
Program Management Improvement Officers; and
the Program Management Policy Council.
People & committees
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 114-264.
Became Public Law No: 114-264.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Unanimous Consent.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate bill by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 11 (Roll no. 550). (text: CR 09/20/2016 H5668-5669)
House roll call 550 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 11 (Roll no. 550).(text: CR 09/20/2016 H5668-5669)
House roll call 550 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5839)
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 S. 1550.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5668-5670)
Mr. Carter (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 495.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-637.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-637.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8172-8173)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8172-8173)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text of committee substitute as amended: CR S8171-8172)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8171-8173)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 288.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-162.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-162.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 4, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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