A bipartisan bill proposed by U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Andy Barr (R-KY) would require the U.S. Comptroller General to annually deliver a public report on the nation’s finances to a joint meeting of Congress.
“As the stewards of taxpayer dollars, this common-sense legislation will hold members of Congress accountable to the American people for how they spend federal funds,” said Rep. Moore on Tuesday.
The Fiscal State of the Nation Act, H.R. 6952, which Rep. Moore sponsored on Jan. 11 alongside three original cosponsors, including Rep. Barr and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), would improve how the public is informed about the nation’s debt and deficit crisis and detail bipartisan plans for reducing wasteful federal spending, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“At a time when our national debt is the highest it has ever been, the Fiscal State of the Nation Act will communicate the scope of the budgetary challenges we face and the need for bipartisan reforms that reduce deficits and balance America’s checkbook,” Rep. Moore said.
Additionally, H.R. 6952 would require that a statement of findings be included in the concurrent resolution on the budget each year, the summary says.
“Understanding one’s assets, expenses, and revenues is something American people do on a daily basis. Yet, year after year, Congress struggles with this simple concept, instead opting for convoluted reports on our own fiscal state,” said Rep. Barr. “This lack of straightforward information leaves lawmakers unprepared to pass legislation that addresses the real needs of the American people, often leading to an ineffective use of American’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
“That’s why I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort … to bring clarity and efficiency to our budget process,” he added.
Rep. Peters said it’s imperative that lawmakers deal with the national debt in a responsible and nonpartisan manner.
“This legislation will cut through the noise of biased information members of Congress receive every day and instead give us a sober and thorough analysis of how current and future policies influence our fiscal health,” he said.