U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) reintroduced bipartisan legislation last week that would set the United States on a better financial trajectory in handling the nation’s “unsustainable” budget.
“The exploding national debt is one of the greatest threats to our country,” Rep. Womack said. “America faces many current and future challenges, which cannot be adequately addressed if we continue down an unsustainable path of fiscal irresponsibility.
Specifically, the Sustainable Budget Act, H.R. 222, would create a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to identify and develop policies to balance the national budget within 10 years and meaningfully improve the long-term fiscal outlook, according to the congressman’s office.
“This bipartisan commission will be tasked with making difficult, yet necessary, decisions to right the financial ship and protect the futures of our children and grandchildren,” Rep. Womack said.
He reintroduced the bill with lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) and original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Zach Nunn (R-IA).
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, applauded the representatives work in pursuing bipartisan solutions to reduce the nation’s debt. “This legislation would create a commission to serve as a venue for constructive bipartisan negotiations to improve our country’s fiscal future,” she said.
The commission will consist of 18 members chosen by the president, the Speaker of the House, the House minority leader, and Senate majority and minority leaders. Any recommendations made by the commission would be required to be considered and voted on by Congress under expedited legislative procedures,” the release from Rep. Womack’s office stated.