Hearing of the Committee on Rules
"Biennial Budgeting: A Tool for Improving Government Fiscal Management and Oversight"
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to offer my testimony before your committee on the implementation of a biennial budget process.
As a former state legislator from the state of Ohio and former chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the Ohio Senate, I come before you today to extol the virtues of a biennial budget process. I have seen first-hand how biennial budgeting improves public policy and the efficiency of government. Having served in Congress for nearly three full terms, it has become apparent to me that reforming our budget process in such a way is an important part of changing the way we conduct business on Capitol Hill.
I do not have to go into any detail today about the grueling budget and appropriations season we face each year in Washington. It seems as though that each time Congress concludes its obligatory annual funding of our government, we turn right around and begin the process all over again, leaving little time to conduct any of our oversight responsibilities, let alone consider any of the major policy issues we must address. In turn, we do not give our federal agencies the opportunity to implement the legislation we have passed or efficiently administer the programs we have funded.
I believe the advantages of such a system are numerous and apparent. The greatest benefit that a biennial budget offers is improved efficiency within the federal government. As I have stated previously, a two year budget cycle will give Congress the opportunity to be more responsible for the programs it funds by allowing us to conduct the critical oversight necessary to finding and reducing any government waste that exists. In those "off" years, when we are not debating a budget, Congress can look deep into the bowels of government and evaluate how we can best improve the programs and services offered or cut the duplicative or unnecessary ones that exist.
Federal agencies will be able to do the same, evaluating how to better administer the programs for which they are responsible. Agencies will have more time to appraise the performance of their programs and services and assess their ability to administer them properly and efficiently. If we can reduce the time, energy and money these agencies spend preparing for the budget process, more time can be spent increasing efficiency and eliminating waste.
Furthermore, the benefits of a biennial budget will greatly affect the people who depend most on a reliable and efficient government – our constituents. Millions of individuals, as well as thousands of local governments and organizations, depend on federal funding for their individual concerns or community interests. Mr. Chairman, like you, I believe we can implement a system that will give our communities more confidence in planning their programs while still efficiently and effectively servicing the needs of the people we represent.
Although I am aware that biennial budgeting will not solve all of the problems of waste and efficiency within our government, I do believe that it is an important step we should take. And I know I am not alone. Your Resolution, Mr. Chairman, H. Res 396, currently has 244 co-sponsors and enjoys broad bi-partisan support, as it should. This is not a partisan issue. Leaders of both parties as well as experts in public policy support this initiative. It makes sense and will provide real and positive change to our current system.
I applaud you in your efforts to implement a two-year budget cycle and offer my support to you in making this initiative a reality. Thank you again, for the opportunity to testify before your committee today.