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Hearing of the Committee on Rules

"Biennial Budgeting: A Tool for Improving Government Fiscal Management and Oversight"

Statement of Congressman Tom Reynolds,
Member of the Committee on Rules

 

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased the Committee is holding this very timely hearing. As a former state legislator in and legislative leader in New York, a state that conducts annual budgeting, I experienced the yearly frustration with the budget process long before coming to Congress. New York's budget annually ties-up the state legislature for months at a time, holding all other legislation virtually hostage.

That background, combined with my first experience with the federal budget last year as a freshman Member of Congress, has convinced me more than ever that biennial budgeting is one of the best alternatives available to improving the federal budget process.

A biennial budget would allow Congress to more carefully and deliberately sort through all of the funding priorities and obligations – but to do so once during a Congress.

That would allow the second session to focus on equally important concerns that unfortunately, because of our current budget process, often fall by the wayside: such as government oversight, reform and management.

I look forward to the testimony of Speaker Hastert and my other Colleagues in the House. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

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