Cliff Stearns: “I rise in support of the biennial budget amendment being offered by Mr. Dreier. I became an original cosponsor of the…”

“I rise in support of the biennial budget amendment being offered by Mr. Dreier. I became an original cosponsor of the biennial budget resolution because I want to see our budget process improved. As we all know, the budget process often results in gridlock. In the past we have witnessed train wrecks, government shutdowns, and continuing resolutions. Although establishing spending levels in Washington will always be contentious, there is strong agreement on adopting a two-year, or biennial, budget process. President Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, and other congressional leaders have endorsed this streamlined system. Under a biennial budget the President would submit a two-year budget resolution during the first session of Congress. Congress then would consider and pass 13 two-year appropriation bills for the President's signature. The second session of Congress would be devoted to overseeing government programs, considering authorization bills, and working on other legislative priorities. Imagine, members of the House and Senate carefully considering legislative proposals and addressing major issues and emergencies at a deliberate and reasoned pace. The annual budget process has become a tool of political theatrics yielding poor policies. By adopting a biennial budget spending, decisions would be made in the year prior to an election year, putting policy ahead of politics.”