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Hearing of the Committee on Rules

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

Statement of Congressman Edward Whitfield (R-KY)

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Rules Committee, I am pleased to appear before the Committee in support of proposals to adopt a biennial budget and appropriations process. I am proud to be a cosponsor of a number of these bills including H.Res. 396, a resolution introduced by Chairman Drier.

The annual budget process results in a frenzied rush to complete the budget and appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year, thus preventing the thorough and comprehensive consideration of spending measures. Due to the time consuming annual budget process Congress rarely meets budget or appropriations deadlines, thus fueling public cynicism of government. A large amount of discretionary spending changes very little from year to year, forcing Congress to process unnecessary volumes of repetitive legislation.

Every year Congress’ budget responsibilities occupy a significant portion of the legislative calendar to the detriment of oversight and authorizing duties. Congressional oversight of federal programs is essential to ensure executive compliance with legislative intent and effective implementation at the agency level. Unfortunately, the annual budget process forces Congress to relegate oversight to a secondary priority.

Annual budgeting detracts from Congress’ ability to formulate consensus on reauthorizing legislation. As a result, the appropriations process is used to make short-term extensions of expired statutes, indefinitely delaying the programmatic evaluation and necessary adjustments performed during oversight. Biennial budgeting will ensure the integrity of the legislative process by preserving non-controversial issues for authorizing committee action, rather than ceding these issues to the Appropriations Committee. Biennial budgeting will also allow Congress to address necessary changes in federal programs and government operations in addition to reauthorizing expired statues.

The annual budget process requires departments and agencies to devote an unreasonable amount of manpower, time, and resources to the preparation of budget justifications. As with Congress, federal agencies are forced to perform redundant and time-consuming budget duties each year at the expense of program implementation. The federal government needs to focus on actually implementing laws passed by Congress rather than focusing efforts on securing funding for the next fiscal year. Biennial budgeting will reduce uncertainties and disruptions caused by annual budgeting, thus producing greater stability in federal program implementation and allowing all entities receiving federal funding to engage in more effective long-term planning.

I hope that the House will approve H. Res 396 and adopt biennual budgeting soon after. Thank you for allowing me to appear before the Committee today.



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