(Washington, DC) Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) has been selected to serve on the House Committee on the Budget for the 112^th Congress, returning to the Committee charged with setting spending priorities, evaluating the effectiveness of government programs, and developing the annual federal budget. Shortly after being tapped for the committee, Yarmuth introduced the Restoring the Democratic Process Act - legislation to repeal the Republican “King-for-a-Day” rule that hands over unprecedented, unilateral power to the Chairman of the Budget Committee.

“Republican leaders in Congress have made it clear that they intend to slash funding for vital programs on which millions of Americans rely,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “I am eager to continue to serve on Committee so that I can defend Louisville’s priorities, from funding for education, job training, and economic development, to veteran’s benefits and health care for tens of thousands of Louisville families.”

Historically, when a budget resolution is considered by the House, it is debated by the entire Budget Committee, amended through the mark-up process, and approved or rejected by a vote on the House floor.  Earlier this month, House Republicans pushed through a new rule that grants Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-1) -- Chairman of the Budget Committee -- unprecedented power to set federal budget spending levels simply by printing them in the Congressional Record, without any deliberations or debate in the House. 

Yarmuth previously called on incoming House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (TX-5) and incoming House Committee on Rules Chairman David Dreier to reconsider this proposed change to House rules – which was rejected. As a result, today, Yarmuth introduced the Restoring the Democratic Process Act. This legislation will repeal this new “King-for-a-Day” rule and return to the normal budget process of the House – guaranteeing that members of Congress have the opportunity to weigh-in and vote on the federal budget resolution both in Committee and on the floor of the House.

“Our nation's founding grew from the belief that citizens should, through elected representation, have a voice in the levying and spending of their tax dollars,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “For hundreds of millions of American citizens, this Republican rule robs them of that representation and effectively disenfranchises our constituents on the decisions about how their taxes are spent.”

For more on the Republican rule change, click here.