Ed Whitfield: “I rise in support of H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act and the biennial budgeting amendment thereto.…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act and the biennial budgeting amendment thereto. Both the underlying budget reform bill and the biennial budgeting amendment are the result of extensive study and deliberation during a process characterized by bipartisan cooperation. The changes in the reform bill and the biennial budget amendment changes address long-standing inefficiencies which hamper the work of Congress and Federal agencies. Each year the Congress is so consumed by the budget process, by the appropriation process, we end up with omnibus bills. We do not know what is in there. This bill increases the accountability for Federal spending, promotes fiscal discipline and encourages long-term planning. It also preserves the progress we have made in reducing the public debt by requiring a vote on legislation that increases the debt. In my view, the most necessary reform which we will consider today is the biennial budget amendment.”