Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Reid Ribble (WI-8), a member of the House Budget Committee, introduced H.R. 3577, The Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act, as part of a comprehensive set of nine reforms that strengthen spending controls, enhance oversight of government spending and bring honest accounting to Washington’s broken budget process. These reforms build on the House-passed Path to Prosperity budget and is the latest example of Congressman Ribble working to reduce spending and bring accountability and normalcy back to the federal government’s budget process.

“Exorbitant spending habits have plunged our country into a $15 trillion debt,” said Ribble. “Now is the time to address this problem or it will only get worse. We need to bring accountability back to Washington by replacing the broken budget process with one that focuses on sustainability and efficiency. My legislation will help with this effort by establishing a two-year (“biennial”) budgeting cycle that would provide a responsible budget plan for each new Congress and enhanced oversight of government agencies and programs”

House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan stated:

“Lurching from budget crisis to budget crisis is no way to govern. Congressman Ribble’s Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act is a step in the right direction towards an honest and full accounting of the federal budget. This reform is part of a larger package of nine bills that together create a comprehensive budget process reform aimed at fixing the way Washington spends money. Currently, the incentives are stacked against those like Congressman Ribble who want to control spending and ensure America tackles head-on the crushing burden of debt that is slowing economic growth today and threatening economic prosperity tomorrow.”

The Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act

• Establishes a two-year, “biennial” budgeting cycle for U.S. government
• Year 1 of biennium (odd-numbered years): Congress would draft and adopt a budget plan covering the next two years. This plan would provide the framework for the consideration of legislation with fiscal implications over the course of the entire Congress.
• Year 2 of biennium (even-numbered years): Congress would focus on conducting detailed oversight of government agencies and programs.
• Biennial process would provide more budget stability and certainty by doing away with the current ad-hoc appropriation process.  Instead, agencies would know a full year in advance the resources they will have, allowing them to implement cost saving measures.    

For more information please visit http://ribble.house.gov/budgetprocessreform

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