Dreier Introduces Biennial Budgeting Legislation

May 27, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, introduced legislation this week that would implement a biennial budgeting system for the federal government. The Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2005, H.R. 2664, was introduced with bipartisan support, including that of Former Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young (R-FL).

“The annual rush to complete action on budget, authorization, and appropriations bills not only results in a poor budget process, but also reduces the amount of time available for sound oversight and management,” Dreier said. “It’s my hope this bill will provide a starting point for discussions on how to improve the budget process. We’ve entertained this idea in the past, and I believe it deserves another look.”

Under the bill, the President would submit a two-year budget and Congress would consider a two-year budget resolution and eleven two-year appropriations bills during the first session of a Congress. The second session would be devoted to consideration of authorization bills, programmatic oversight of government agencies and emergency spending bills. It would enhance program oversight and improve the authorization process by eliminating repetitive and time-consuming appropriations work. It would also improve management for the federal agencies, who now spend huge parts of their year preparing for the annual appropriations process. Biennial budgeting would increase agency efficiency and provide them with more stable and predictable budgets. Additionally, the bill would provide extra time for enhanced scrutiny of spending decisions. This extra time would encourage more responsible spending.

Original co-sponsors of the legislation are Congressmen Charlie Bass (R-NH), Walter Jones (R-NC), Ralph Regula (R-OH), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Bill Young (R-FL), and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA).

H.R. 2664 SUMMARY
H.R. 2664 SECTION-BY-SECTION
FLOOR STATEMENT