WASHINGTON, DC . . .  Today Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted on the second of two bills this week that would promote government transparency and spending accountability. HR. 3582, the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2012, passed 242-179; H.R. 3578, the Baseline Reform Act of 2012, passed 235-177.

"America's economy continues to struggle as unemployment remains over 8%, as it has for over 36 months," said Hall. "Out-of-control spending habits are only making things more difficult for job creators to hire new workers. In an effort to improve honesty and accountability to the American people, this week I voted on two bills that would require Congress to be more upfront with how taxpayer dollars are being spent. I hope these bills will also make Congress think twice before increasing spending."

Hall continued, "Thursday evening I voted in favor of H.R. 3582, the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011, a bill that would require the Congressional Budget Office to provide lawmakers with an economic impact analysis for all legislation that would cost $39 billion or more.

"Current law requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide Congress with the fiscal impact of all legislation, but there is no requirement for economic impact analysis. The bill would also require the Congressional Budget Office to provide a statement of the critical assumptions and sources of data underlying its estimate. By providing detailed economic impact information, Congress can make more informed policy decisions and provide more transparency to the American people.

"Today I voted to pass H.R. 3578, The Baseline Reform Act of 2011. When Congress creates the year's discretionary budget, there is an automatic increase for inflation as it is simply assumed that each agency needs more money than the previous year. This assumption adds approximately $1.4 trillion to the 10-year baseline budget.

"The Baseline Reform Act, supported by many groups including FreedomWorks and the National Taxpayers Union, requires each year's discretionary budget to show the baseline for the previous year's funding level. Publishing this baseline promotes spending discipline and puts an end to Washington's ability to mischaracterize that continuing the same level of funding as the previous year is a spending cut.

"In order to do our best to promote job creation and economic growth, policymakers should have as much information as possible about the effects of proposed legislation. By providing maximum transparency and remaining accountable to the American people, I will continue to work to get our economy back on track and fight for jobs for hardworking Americans.

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