II
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1679
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 11, 2011
Mr. Thune introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget
A BILL
To ensure effective control over the Congressional budget process.
Short title and table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the Budget Reform Act of
2011
.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I—Joint budget resolution
Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. Timetable.
Sec. 103. Joint resolution on the budget.
Sec. 104. Budget required before spending bills may be considered.
Sec. 105. Amendments to joint resolutions on the budget.
Sec. 106. Continuing appropriations.
TITLE II—Biennial Budget
Sec. 201. Effective date.
Sec. 202. Revision of timetable.
Sec. 203. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
Sec. 204. Amendments to Rules of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 205. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriation Acts.
Sec. 206. Multiyear authorizations.
Sec. 207. Government strategic and performance plans on a biennial basis.
Sec. 208. Biennial appropriation bills.
Sec. 209. Assistance by Federal agencies to standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Joint budget resolution
Purposes
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 are amended to read as follows:
to assure effective control over the budgetary process; and
to facilitate the determination of the appropriate level of Federal revenues and expenditures by the Congress and the President;
.
Timetable
Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
Timetable
The timetable with respect to the Congressional budget process for any fiscal year is as follows:
| On or before: | Action to be completed: |
| First Monday in February | President submits his budget. |
| February 15 | Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. |
| Not later than 6 weeks after President submits budget | Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. |
| April 1 | Budget Committees report joint resolution on the budget. |
| April 15 | Congress completes action on joint resolution on the budget. |
| June 10 | House Appropriations Committee reports last annual appropriation bill. |
| June 15 | Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation. |
| June 30 | House completes action on annual appropriation bills. |
| October 1 | Fiscal year begins. |
.
Joint resolution on the budget
Content of Joint Resolutions on the Budget
Section 301(a)(4) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary spending, Medicare, Medicaid, other direct spending (excluding interest), and interest; and for emergencies (for the reserve fund in section 317(b) and for military operations in section 317(C));
.
Additional Matters in Joint Resolution
Section 301(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
Strike paragraphs (1), and (6) through (9).
Redesignate paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) accordingly.
Amend paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as follows:
set forth such other matters, and require such other procedures, relating to the budget as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Act, but shall not include a suspension or alteration of the application of the motion to strike a provision as set forth in section 310(d)(2) or (h)(2)(F).
.
Required Contents of Report
Section 301(e)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
Redesignate subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), (F), (H), and (I), respectively.
Before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated), insert the following new subparagraph:
new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category, based on allocations of the total levels set forth pursuant to subsection (a)(1);
.
In subparagraph
(C) (as redesignated), strike mandatory
and insert direct
spending
.
After subparagraph (C) (as redesignated), insert the following new subparagraph:
a measure, as a percentage of gross domestic product, of total outlays, total Federal revenues, the surplus or deficit, and new outlays for nondefense discretionary spending, defense spending, Medicare, Medicaid and other direct spending as set forth in such resolution;
.
After subparagraph (F) (as redesignated), insert the following new subparagraph:
if the joint resolution on the budget includes any allocation to a committee other than the Committee on Appropriations of levels in excess of current law levels, a justification for not subjecting any program, project, or activity (for which the allocation is made) to annual discretionary appropriations;
.
Additional Contents of Report
Section 301(e)(3) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
Redesignate
subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively, strike
subparagraphs (C) and (D), and redesignate subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (D)
and strike the period and insert ; and
.
Before subparagraph (B), insert the following new subparagraph:
new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category, based on allocations of the total levels set forth pursuant to subsection (a)(1);
.
At the end, add the following new subparagraph:
set forth, if required by subsection (f), the calendar year in which, in the opinion of the Congress, the goals for reducing unemployment set forth in section 4(b) of the Employment Act of 1946 should be achieved.
.
Budget Presentation
After section 301(e)(3) add the following new paragraph:
Budget Format
In addition to the contents that may be included in the report pursuant to paragraph (3), a presentation of the functional categories may also be included as follows:
Principal Federal Obligations
Activities intrinsic to the Federal Government (including both discretionary and mandatory spending) as follows:
National defense;
International affairs;
Veterans benefits and services; and
Administration of justice.
Federally Supported Domestic Priorities
The total domestic discretionary spending levels as follows:
Total domestic discretionary spending.
Optional inclusion of additional specific recommended levels.
Major Domestic Entitlements
Major domestic direct spending programs as follows:
Medicare.
Medicaid.
Other direct spending.
Optional inclusion of additional specific recommended levels.
General Government and Financial Management
Funding for financing government operations as follows:
General government.
Net interest.
Allowances.
Offsetting receipts.
.
President’s Budget Submission to Congress
The first two sentences of section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, are amended to read as follows:
On or after the first Monday in January but not later than the first Monday in February of each year the President shall submit a budget of the United States Government for the following fiscal year which shall set forth the following levels:
Totals of new budget authority and outlays.
Total Federal revenues and the amount, if any, by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be increased or decreased by bills and resolutions to be reported by the appropriate committees.
The surplus or deficit in the budget.
Subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary spending, direct spending (excluding interest), and interest, and for emergencies (for the reserve fund in section 317(b) and for military operations in section 317(c)).
The public debt.
Each budget submission shall include a budget message and summary and supporting information and, as a separately delineated statement, the levels requires in the preceding sentence for at least each of the 4 ensuing fiscal years.
.
The third sentence of section 1105(a)
of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting
submission
after budget
.
Limitation on the Content of Budget Resolutions
Section 305 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Limitation on Contents
It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or in the Senate to consider any joint resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto or conference report thereon that contains any matter referred to in paragraph (2).
Any joint resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto or conference report thereon that contains any matter not permitted in section 301 (a) or (b) shall not be treated in the House of Representatives or the Senate as a budget resolution under subsection (a) or (b) or as a conference report on a budget resolution under subsection (c) of this section.
.
Budget required before spending bills may be considered
Amendments to Section 302
Section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (5); and
in subsection
(f)(1)(A), by striking as reported
.
Amendments to Section 303 and Conforming Amendments
Section 303 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by striking “(a)
In General.—”,
by striking has been agreed to
and inserting takes effect
in subsection (a)
, and by striking subsections (b) and (c); and
by striking its section heading and
inserting the following new section heading: consideration of
budget-related legislation before budget becomes
law
.
Expedited Procedures Upon Veto of Joint Resolution on the Budget
Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding after section 315 the following new section:
Expedited Procedures Upon Veto of Joint Resolution on the Budget
Special Rule
If the President vetoes a joint resolution on the budget for a fiscal year, the majority leader of the House of Representatives or Senate (or his designee) shall introduce a concurrent resolution on the budget or joint resolution on the budget for such fiscal year. If the Committee on the Budget of either House fails to report such concurrent or joint resolution referred to it within five calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when that House of Congress is in session) after the date of such referral, the committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of such resolution and such resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
Procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of section 305 for the consideration in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of joint resolutions on the budget and conference reports thereon shall also apply to the consideration of concurrent resolutions on the budget introduced under subsection (a) and conference reports thereon.
Debate in the Senate on any concurrent resolution on the budget or joint resolution on the budget introduced under subsection (a), and all amendments thereto and debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours and in the House of Representatives such debate shall be limited to not more than 3 hours.
Contents of Concurrent Resolutions
Any concurrent resolution on the budget introduced under subsection (a) shall be in compliance with section 301.
Effect of Concurrent Resolution on the Budget
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, whenever a concurrent resolution on the budget described in subsection (a) is agreed to, then the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation directives (if any) contained in the report accompanying such concurrent resolution or in such concurrent resolution shall be considered to be the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation directives for all purposes of sections 302, 303, and 311 for the applicable fiscal years and such concurrent resolution shall be deemed to be a joint resolution for all purposes of this title and the Rules of the House of Representatives and any reference to the date of enactment of a joint resolution on the budget shall be deemed to be a reference to the date agreed to when applied to such concurrent resolution.
.
The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following new item:
Sec. 316. Expedited procedures upon veto of joint resolution on the budget.
.
Amendments to joint resolutions on the budget
Definition
Paragraph (4) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
the term joint resolution on the budget means—
a joint resolution setting forth the budget for the United States Government for a fiscal year as provided in section 301; and
any other joint resolution revising the budget for the United States Government for a fiscal year as described in section 304.
.
Additional Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
Sections 301, 302, 303,
305, 308, 310, 311, 312, 314, 405, and 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) are amended by striking concurrent
each place it appears and inserting joint
.
Section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is further amended by striking the last sentence.
Sections 302(d), 302(g),
308(a)(1)(A), and 310(d)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 are amended
by striking most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the
budget
each place it occurs and inserting most recently enacted
joint resolution on the budget or agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget
(as applicable)
.
The section heading of section 301
is amended by striking annual adoption of concurrent
resolution
and inserting joint resolutions
;
and
Section 304 of such Act is amended to read as follows:
Permissible Revisions of Budget Resolutions
At any time after the joint resolution on the budget for a fiscal year has been enacted pursuant to section 301, and before the end of such fiscal year, the two Houses and the President may enact a joint resolution on the budget which revises or reaffirms the joint resolution on the budget for such fiscal year most recently enacted, and for purposes of the enforcement of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the chairman of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate, as applicable, may adjust levels as needed for the enforcement off of the budget resolution.
.
Sections 302, 303, 310, and 311, of
such Act are amended by striking agreed to
each place it appears
and by inserting enacted
.
Paragraph (4) of section
3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by
striking concurrent
each place it appears and by inserting
joint
.
The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of such Act is amended—
in the item relating to section 301,
by striking Annual adoption of concurrent resolution
and
inserting Joint resolutions
;
by striking the item relating to section 303 and inserting the following:
Sec. 303. Consideration of budget-related legislation before budget becomes law.
;
by striking
concurrent
and inserting joint
in the item
relating to section 305.
Conforming Amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives
Clauses
1(d)(1), 4(a)(4), 4(b)(2), 4(f)(1)(A), and 4(f)(2) of rule X, clause 10 of rule
XVIII, clause 10 of rule XX, and clauses 7 and 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives are amended by striking concurrent
each place it appears and inserting joint
.
Conforming Amendments to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
Section 258C(b)(1) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907d(b)(1)) is amended by striking
concurrent
and inserting joint
.
Conforming Amendments to Section 310 Regarding Reconciliation Directives
The side heading of
section 310(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (as amended by section
105(b)) is further amended by inserting Joint Explanatory Statement Accompanying
Conference Report on
before Joint
.
Section 310(a) of such Act is amended
by striking A
and inserting The joint explanatory
statement accompanying the conference report on a
.
The first sentence of section 310(b)
of such Act is amended by striking If
and inserting If
the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report
on
.
Section 310(c)(1) of such Act is
amended by inserting the joint explanatory statement accompanying the
conference report on
after pursuant to
.
Conforming Amendments to Section 3 Regarding Direct Spending
Section 3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
The term direct spending has the meaning given to such term in section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
.
Continuing appropriations
In General
Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section:
Continuing appropriations
If any regular appropriation bill for each fiscal year in a biennium does not become law before the beginning of such biennium or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are appropriated for the 2 years of the biennium, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, excluding any budget authority designated as an emergency or temporary funding for projects or activities that are not part of ongoing operations, such sums as may be necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year—
for defense, veterans, and homeland security spending—
in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or
if the corresponding regular appropriation bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; and
for spending not described in subparagraph (A), total level allowable for the appropriate accounts under section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control of Act of 1985 in the same proportion of funding that such accounts received the preceding fiscal year.
Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower of—
the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation Act providing for such project or activity for the preceding fiscal year;
in the absence of such an Act, the rate of operations provided for such project or activity pursuant to a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year;
the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation bill as passed by the House of Representatives or the Senate for the fiscal year in question, except that the lower of these two versions shall be ignored for any project or activity for which there is a budget request if no funding is provided for that project or activity in either version; or
the annualized rate of operations provided for in the most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding levels established under the provisions of this Act.
Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a project or activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of—
the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or
the last day of such fiscal year.
An appropriation or funds made available, or authority granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such project or activity under current law.
Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for such project or activity during the portion of such fiscal year for which this section applies to such project or activity.
Expenditures made for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal year providing for such project or activity for such period becomes law.
This section shall not apply to a project or activity during a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an authorization of appropriations)—
makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or grants authority for such project or activity to continue for such period; or
specifically provides that no appropriation shall be made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall be granted for such project or activity to continue for such period.
For purposes of this section, the term regular appropriation bill means any annual appropriation bill making appropriations, otherwise making funds available, or granting authority, for any of the following categories of projects and activities:
Agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies programs.
The Department of Defense.
Energy and water development, and related agencies.
State, foreign operations, and related programs.
The Department of Homeland Security.
The Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies.
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies.
Military construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies.
Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies.
The Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies.
The Legislative Branch.
Financial services and general government.
.
Clerical Amendment
The analysis of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1310 the following new item:
1311. Continuing appropriations.
.
Biennial Budget
Effective date
The provisions of this subtitle shall take effect on January 1 of the calendar year after the year of the enactment of this Act.
Revision of timetable
Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631) is amended to read as follows:
Timetable
In General
Except as provided by subsection (b), the timetable with respect to the congressional budget process for any Congress (beginning with the One Hundred Twelfth Congress or a subsequent Congress, as applicable) is as follows:
| On or before: | Action to be completed: |
| First Monday in February | President submits budget recommendations. |
| February 15 | Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. |
| Not later than 6 weeks after budget submission | Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. |
| April 1 | Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget. |
| May 15 | Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget. |
| May 15 | Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of Representatives. |
| June 10 | House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation bill. |
| June 30 | House completes action on biennial appropriation bills. |
| October 1 | Biennium begins. |
| On or before: | Action to be completed: |
| February 15 | President submits budget review. |
| Not later than 6 weeks after President submits budget review | Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. |
| The last day of the session | Congress completes action on bills and resolutions authorizing new budget authority for the succeeding biennium. |
Special Rule
In the case of any first session of Congress that begins in any year during which the term of a President (except a President who succeeds himself) begins, the following dates shall supersede those set forth in subsection (a):
| On or before: | Action to be completed: |
| First Monday in April | President submits budget recommendations. |
| April 20 | Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. |
| May 15 | Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget. |
| June 1 | Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget. |
| June 1 | Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of Representatives. |
| July 1 | House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation bill. |
| July 20 | House completes action on biennial appropriation bills. |
| October 1 | Biennium begins. |
.
Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
Declaration of Purpose
Section 2(2) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621(2)) is amended by striking each
year
and inserting biennially
.
Definitions
Budget resolution
Section 3(4) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 622(4)) is amended
by striking fiscal year
each place it appears and inserting
biennium
.
Biennium
Section 3 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 622) (as amended by section 113(a)) is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
The term biennium means the period of 2 consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year.
.
Biennial Joint Resolution on the Budget
Contents of resolution
Section 301(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(a)) is amended—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by—
striking
April 15 of each year
and inserting May 15 of each
odd-numbered year
;
striking
the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of such year
the first
place it appears and inserting the biennium beginning on October 1 of
such year
;
striking
the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of such year
the second
place it appears and inserting each fiscal year in such period
;
and
striking
each of the four ensuing fiscal years
and inserting each
fiscal year in the next 2 bienniums
;
in paragraph (6),
by striking for the fiscal year
and inserting for each
fiscal year in the biennium
; and
in paragraph (7),
by striking for the fiscal year
and inserting for each
fiscal year in the biennium
.
Additional matters
Section 301(b) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (3),
by striking for such fiscal year
and inserting for either
fiscal year in such biennium
; and
in paragraph (7),
by striking for the first fiscal year
and inserting for
each fiscal year in the biennium
.
Views of other committees
Section 301(d) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(d)) is
amended by inserting (or, if applicable, as provided by section
300(b))
after United States Code
.
Hearings
Section 301(e)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(e)) is amended by—
striking
fiscal year
and inserting biennium
; and
inserting after
the second sentence the following: On or before April 1 of each
odd-numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section 300(b)), the
Committee on the Budget of each House shall report to its House the joint
resolution on the budget referred to in subsection (a) for the biennium
beginning on October 1 of that year.
.
Goals for reducing unemployment
Section 301(f) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
632(f)) is amended by striking fiscal year
each place it appears
and inserting biennium
.
Economic assumptions
Section 301(g)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(g)(1)) is
amended by striking for a fiscal year
and inserting for a
biennium
.
Section heading
The section heading of section 301 of such Act is amended
by striking annual
and inserting
biennial
.
Table of contents
The item relating to section 301 in the table of
contents set forth in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking
Annual
and inserting Biennial
.
Committee Allocations
Section 302 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 633) is amended—
in subsection (a)(1) by—
striking
for the first fiscal year of the resolution,
and inserting
for each fiscal year in the biennium,
;
striking
for that period of fiscal years
and inserting for all
fiscal years covered by the resolution
; and
striking
for the fiscal year of that resolution
and inserting for
each fiscal year in the biennium
;
in subsection
(f)(1), by striking for a fiscal year
and inserting for a
biennium
;
in subsection
(f)(1), by striking first fiscal year
and inserting
either fiscal year of the biennium
;
in subsection (f)(2)(A), by—
striking
first fiscal year
and inserting each fiscal year of the
biennium
; and
striking
the total of fiscal years
and inserting the total of all
fiscal years covered by the resolution
; and
in subsection
(g)(1)(A), by striking April
and inserting
May
.
Section 303 Point of Order
Section 303
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 634(a)) is amended by striking for a fiscal
year
and inserting for a biennium
and by striking
the first fiscal year
and inserting each fiscal year of
the biennium
.
Permissible Revisions of Joint Resolutions on the Budget
Section 304 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 635) is amended—
by striking
fiscal year
the first two places it appears and inserting
biennium
;
by striking
for such fiscal year
; and
by inserting
before the period for such biennium
.
Procedures for Consideration of Budget Resolutions
Section 305(a)(3) of such Act
(2 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)) is amended by striking fiscal year
and
inserting biennium
.
Completion of House Committee Action on Appropriation Bills
Section 307 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 638) is amended—
by striking
each year
and inserting each odd-numbered year (or, if
applicable, as provided by section 300(b), July 1)
;
by striking
annual
and inserting biennial
;
by striking
fiscal year
and inserting biennium
; and
by striking
that year
and inserting each odd-numbered
year
.
Completion of House Action on Regular Appropriation Bills
Section 309 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 640) is amended—
by striking
It
and inserting Except whenever section 300(b) is
applicable, it
;
by inserting
of any odd-numbered calendar year
after
July
;
by striking
annual
and inserting biennial
; and
by striking
fiscal year
and inserting biennium
.
Reconciliation Process
Section 310 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 641) is amended—
in subsection (a),
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking any fiscal
year
and inserting any biennium
;
in subsection
(a)(1), by striking such fiscal year
each place it appears and
inserting any fiscal year covered by such resolution
; and
by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f).
Section 311 Point of Order
In the House of Representatives
Section 311(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 642(a)) is amended—
by striking
for a fiscal year
and inserting for a
biennium
;
by striking
the first fiscal year
each place it appears and inserting
either fiscal year of the biennium
; and
by striking
that first fiscal year
and inserting each fiscal year in
the biennium
.
In the senate
Section 311(a)(2) of such Act is amended—
in subparagraph
(A), by striking for the first fiscal year
and inserting
for either fiscal year of the biennium
; and
in subparagraph (B)—
by
striking that first fiscal year
the first place it appears and
inserting each fiscal year in the biennium
; and
by
striking that first fiscal year and the ensuing fiscal years
and
inserting all fiscal years
.
Social security levels
Section 311(a)(3) of such Act is amended by—
striking
for the first fiscal year
and inserting each fiscal year
in the biennium
; and
striking
that fiscal year and the ensuing fiscal years
and inserting
all fiscal years
.
Maximum Deficit Amount Point of Order
Section 312(c) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 643) is amended—
by striking
for a fiscal year
and inserting for a
biennium
;
in paragraph (1),
by striking first fiscal year
and inserting either fiscal
year in the biennium
;
in paragraph (2),
by striking that fiscal year
and inserting either fiscal
year in the biennium
; and
in the matter
following paragraph (2), by striking that fiscal year
and
inserting the applicable fiscal year
.
Amendments to Rules of the House of Representatives
Clause 4(a)(1)(A)
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by inserting
odd-numbered
after each
.
Clause 4(a)(4) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
fiscal year
and inserting biennium
.
Clause 4(b)(2) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
each fiscal year
and inserting the
biennium
.
Clause 4(b) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
and
at the end of subparagraph (5), by striking the period and
inserting ; and
at the end of subparagraph (6), and by adding at
the end the following new subparagraph:
use the second session of each Congress to study issues with long-term budgetary and economic implications, including holding hearings to receive testimony from committees of jurisdiction to identify problem areas and to report on the results of oversight; and by January 1 of each odd-number year, issuing a report to the Speaker which identifies the key issues facing the Congress in the next biennium.
.
Clause 4(e) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
annually
each place it appears and inserting
biennially
and by striking annual
and inserting
biennial
.
Clause 4(f) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended—
by inserting
during each odd-numbered year
after submits his
budget
;
by striking
fiscal year
the first place it appears and inserting
biennium
; and
by striking
that fiscal year
and inserting each fiscal year in such
ensuing biennium
.
Clause 11(i) of
rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
during the same or preceding fiscal year
.
Clause 3(d)(2)(A)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by
striking five
both places it appears and inserting
six
.
Clause 5(a)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by striking
fiscal year after September 15 in the preceding fiscal year
and
inserting biennium after September 15 of the calendar year in which such
biennium begins
.
Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriation Acts
Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Title and style of appropriations Acts
The style and
title of all Acts making appropriations for the support of the Government shall
be as follows: An Act making appropriations (here insert the object) for
each fiscal year in the biennium of fiscal years (here insert the fiscal years
of the biennium).
.
All Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the Government shall be enacted for a biennium and shall specify the amount of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in such period.
For purposes of this section, the term biennium has the same meaning as in section 3(13) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(13)).
.
Multiyear authorizations
In General
Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (as amended by section 115(a)) is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:
Multiyear authorizations of appropriations
It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any measure that contains a specific authorization of appropriations for any purpose unless the measure includes such a specific authorization of appropriations for that purpose for not less than each fiscal year in one or more bienniums.
For purposes of this section, a specific authorization of appropriations is an authorization for the enactment of an amount of appropriations or amounts not to exceed an amount of appropriations (whether stated as a sum certain, as a limit, or as such sums as may be necessary) for any purpose for a fiscal year.
Subsection (a) does not apply with
respect to an authorization of appropriations for a single fiscal year for any
program, project, or activity if the measure containing that authorization
includes a provision expressly stating the following: Congress finds
that no authorization of appropriation will be required for [Insert name of
applicable program, project, or activity] for any subsequent fiscal
year.
.
For purposes of this section, the term measure means a bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report.
.
Amendment to Table of Contents
The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding after the item relating to section 317 the following new item:
Sec. 318. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations.
.
Government strategic and performance plans on a biennial basis
Strategic Plans
Section 306 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a),
by striking September 30, 1997
and inserting September
30, 2010
;
in subsection (b)—
by striking
at least every three years
and all that follows thereafter and
inserting at least every 4 years, except that strategic plans submitted
by September 30, 2010, shall be updated and revised by September 30,
2012
; and
by striking
five years forward
and inserting six years
forward
; and
in subsection (c),
by inserting a comma after section
the second place it appears
and adding including a strategic plan submitted by September 30, 2010,
meeting the requirements of subsection (a)
.
Budget Contents and Submission to Congress
Paragraph (28) of section 1105(a) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking beginning with
fiscal year 1999, a
and inserting beginning with fiscal year
2012, a biennial
.
Performance Plans
Section 1115 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in the matter
before paragraph (1) by striking an annual
and inserting
a biennial
;
in paragraph (1)
by inserting after program activity
the following: for
both years 1 and 2 of the biennial plan
;
in paragraph (5)
by striking and
after the semicolon;
in paragraph (6)
by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and inserting
and
after the inserted semicolon; and
by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.
;
in subsection (d)
by striking annual
and inserting biennial
;
and
in paragraph (6)
of subsection (g) by striking annual
and inserting
biennial
.
Managerial Accountability and Flexibility
Section 9703 of title 31, United States Code, relating to managerial accountability, is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in the first
sentence by striking annual
; and
by striking
section 1105(a)(29)
and inserting section
1105(a)(28)
;
in subsection (e)—
in the first
sentence by striking one or
before two
years
;
in the second
sentence by striking a subsequent year
and inserting for
a subsequent 2-year period
; and
in the third
sentence by striking three
and inserting
four
.
Strategic Plans
Section 2802 of title 39, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a),
by striking September 30, 1997
and inserting September
30, 2010
;
in subsection (b),
by striking at least every three years
and inserting at
least every 4 years except that strategic plans submitted by September 30,
2010, shall be updated and revised by September 30, 2013
;
in subsection (b),
by striking five years forward
and inserting six years
forward
; and
in subsection (c),
by inserting a comma after section
the second place it appears
and inserting including a strategic plan submitted by September 30,
2010, meeting the requirements of subsection (a)
.
Performance Plans
Section 2803(a) of title 39, United States Code, is amended—
in the matter
before paragraph (1), by striking an annual
and inserting
a biennial
;
in paragraph (1),
by inserting after program activity
the following: for
both years 1 and 2 of the biennial plan
;
in paragraph (5),
by striking and
after the semicolon;
in paragraph (6),
by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.
.
Committee Views of Plans and Reports
Section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget
Act (2 U.S.C. 632(d)) is amended by adding at the end: Each committee of
the Senate or the House of Representatives shall review the strategic plans,
performance plans, and performance reports, required under section 306 of title
5, United States Code, and sections 1115 and 1116 of title 31, United States
Code, of all agencies under the jurisdiction of the committee. Each committee
may provide its views on such plans or reports to the Committee on the Budget
of the applicable House.
.
Program formulas in performance plans
Section 1115(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (9),
by striking and
after the semicolon;
in paragraph
(10), by striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
by inserting at the end the following:
a description of the formulas used for the program and program funding decisions including the criteria and factors used and the weight given to each of these factors.
.
Biennial appropriation bills
In the House of Representatives
Clause 2(a) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Except as provided by subdivision (B), an appropriation may not be reported in a general appropriation bill (other than a supplemental appropriation bill), and may not be in order as an amendment thereto, unless it provides new budget authority or establishes a level of obligations under contract authority for each fiscal year of a biennium.
Subdivision (A) does not apply with
respect to an appropriation for a single fiscal year for any program, project,
or activity if the bill or amendment thereto containing that appropriation
includes a provision expressly stating the following: Congress finds
that no additional funding beyond one fiscal year will be required and the
[Insert name of applicable program, project, or activity] will be completed or
terminated after the amount provided has been expended.
.
For purposes of paragraph (b), the statement set forth in subdivision (B) with respect to an appropriation for a single fiscal year for any program, project, or activity may be included in a general appropriation bill or amendment thereto.
.
Conforming Amendment
Clause 5(b)(1) of rule XXII of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking or (C)
and inserting
or (3) or 2(C)
.
Assistance by Federal agencies to standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives
Information Regarding Agency Appropriations Requests
To assist each standing committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate in carrying out its responsibilities, the head of each Federal agency which administers the laws or parts of laws under the jurisdiction of such committee shall provide to such committee such studies, information, analyses, reports, and assistance as may be requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee.
Information Regarding Agency Program Administration
To assist each standing committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate in carrying out its responsibilities, the head of any agency shall furnish to such committee documentation, containing information received, compiled, or maintained by the agency as part of the operation or administration of a program, or specifically compiled pursuant to a request in support of a review of a program, as may be requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of such committee.
Summaries by Comptroller General
Within 30 days after the receipt of a request from a chairman and ranking minority member of a standing committee having jurisdiction over a program being reviewed and studied by such committee under this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall furnish to such committee summaries of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General has completed during the preceding 6 years.
Congressional Assistance
Consistent with their duties and functions under law, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the Director of the Congressional Research Service shall continue to furnish (consistent with established protocols) to each standing committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate such information, studies, analyses, and reports as the chairman and ranking minority member may request to assist the committee in conducting reviews and studies of programs under this section.