Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ribble introduced his budget process reform bill in early May. Since then, as the budget process in Washington has continued to show its shortcomings, more and more in Congress are showing their willingness to change the system for the better. Currently, more than 100 bipartisan members of Congress have cosponsored Mr. Ribble’s bill, including House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

Since 2001, Congress has successfully enacted only 13 spending bills on time. Congress is required by law, however, to pass 12 spending bills each year. Because Congress cannot complete its work, our government has been forced to rely on short-term spending bills known as continuing resolutions. The government has operated on 19 of them since 2009, each lasting for about two months. Biennial budgeting provides a responsible alternative for our nation’s current broken budget process, provides greater oversight, and helps save taxpayer money.

Below is a statement from Congressman Ribble:

“I’m pleased with the continued and growing support of this common-sense, bipartisan proposal to reform our nation’s broken budget process. If the past few months have shown us anything, it’s that our country has difficult fiscal decisions to make, and we cannot make those decisions swiftly. Congress needs adequate time to consider all the data surrounding federal programs and their costs. Biennial budgeting gives Congress more time to make those important decisions. Switching to a biennial budgeting system allows for Congress to provide greater oversight of appropriations, enhanced economic certainty in the private sector, and savings in taxpayer money."