This legislation seeks to fundamentally alter the federal budget and appropriations process by shifting from an annual to a biennial budget cycle . It amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to define a biennium as two consecutive fiscal years, beginning with an even-numbered year, and revises the congressional timetable for budget submission and action accordingly. The bill mandates that concurrent resolutions on the budget cover a biennium and include detailed breakdowns of spending categories, public debt and deficit ratios to GDP, and total outlays and revenue losses from tax expenditures. A significant component of the bill is the establishment of a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform , comprising 18 members appointed by the President and congressional leadership. This Commission is tasked with identifying policies to improve the nation's fiscal situation in the medium term and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. Its recommendations must aim to achieve an annual 3 percent deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio within a decade and address the growth of entitlement spending and the gap between projected revenues and expenditures. The Commission's final report, containing its recommendations, must be approved by at least 12 members, including bipartisan representation from both major parties in the House. Following the report, the Commission will transmit a proposed joint resolution to Congress to implement these recommendations. This joint resolution will be subject to expedited consideration in both the House and Senate, notably without the possibility of amendment, ensuring a direct vote on the Commission's proposals. Beyond the biennial budget and the Commission, the bill introduces several other reforms. It requires congressional committees to submit views and estimates on priority legislation and those with significant budgetary impact. The President must submit an annual supplemental budget with updated estimates, and an annual hearing on the fiscal state of the Nation, featuring a presentation from the Comptroller General, is mandated. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide introductory budgetary briefings for all newly elected Members of Congress during orientation. It also modernizes the House Committee on the Budget by adding the chairs and ranking members of the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations Committees as ex officio members, aiming to enhance its expertise and coordination.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This legislation seeks to fundamentally alter the federal budget and appropriations process by shifting from an annual to a biennial budget cycle . It amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to define a biennium as two consecutive fiscal years, beginning with an even-numbered year, and revises the congressional timetable for budget submission and action accordingly. The bill mandates that concurrent resolutions on the budget cover a biennium and include detailed breakdowns of spending categories, public debt and deficit ratios to GDP, and total outlays and revenue losses from tax expenditures. A significant component of the bill is the establishment of a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform , comprising 18 members appointed by the President and congressional leadership. This Commission is tasked with identifying policies to improve the nation's fiscal situation in the medium term and achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. Its recommendations must aim to achieve an annual 3 percent deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio within a decade and address the growth of entitlement spending and the gap between projected revenues and expenditures. The Commission's final report, containing its recommendations, must be approved by at least 12 members, including bipartisan representation from both major parties in the House. Following the report, the Commission will transmit a proposed joint resolution to Congress to implement these recommendations. This joint resolution will be subject to expedited consideration in both the House and Senate, notably without the possibility of amendment, ensuring a direct vote on the Commission's proposals. Beyond the biennial budget and the Commission, the bill introduces several other reforms. It requires congressional committees to submit views and estimates on priority legislation and those with significant budgetary impact. The President must submit an annual supplemental budget with updated estimates, and an annual hearing on the fiscal state of the Nation, featuring a presentation from the Comptroller General, is mandated. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide introductory budgetary briefings for all newly elected Members of Congress during orientation. It also modernizes the House Committee on the Budget by adding the chairs and ranking members of the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations Committees as ex officio members, aiming to enhance its expertise and coordination.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.