U.S. Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) on June 24 introduced bipartisan legislation that would implement reforms to the budget and appropriations process in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Each year, Congress operates from the same broken blueprint when it comes to our budget process. These failures have compounded, leading to runaway debt and the impending depletion of our social trust funds. We need a better solution,” said Rep. Womack, who sponsored the Budgeting for a Better America Act, H.R. 9452.
“Bad budgeting bankrupts our future, and our nation cannot afford to delay these overdue reforms any longer,” he added. “I am eager to build consensus around this critical issue — the fiscal state of our nation depends on it.”
H.R. 9452 — which has 11 original cosponsors, including Rep. Huizenga and U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), and Scott Peters (D-CA) — would adopt a biennial budget framework, establish a bipartisan fiscal commission, and implement other governance reforms.
“Tackling the debt requires all-hands on deck and a willingness to examine innovative approaches in order to get our nation’s fiscal house in order,” Rep. Huizenga said. “Washington is littered with debt deniers who downplay the seriousness of the fiscal crisis facing our nation. I am proud to… put forward another bipartisan solution to address our nation’s unsustainable fiscal situation.”
Specifically, the measure would establish an 18-member bipartisan commission to help identify and develop policies to achieve a 3 percent annual deficit-to-GDP ratio within 10 years and work toward long-term fiscal stabilization.
The bill also would adopt a biennial budgeting framework toward addressing persistent delays in the current budget process and reducing the risk of government shutdowns and continuing resolutions, and require budget resolutions to include debt, deficit, and tax metrics.
Among several other provisions, H.R. 9452 would establish an annual televised bicameral hearing with the Comptroller General to address the nation’s long-term fiscal outlook, and require the annual President’s Budget Request to include a better analysis on the health of unfunded obligations, including Social Security and Medicare, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.