H.R.113 - Budget Process Enhancement Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 113, the Budget Process Enhancement Act, aims to modify the federal budget process by removing the discretionary inflater from the baseline and holding the salaries of members of Congress in escrow if a budget resolution is not agreed upon by a specified date. The bill also seeks to ensure timely submission of the President's budget by penalizing the Director and Deputy Directors of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with withheld pay for non-compliance.
The proposed changes target fiscal responsibility and accountability within the government. The bill intends to incentivize timely budget agreement and adherence to budgetary requirements.
By removing the 'discretionary inflater,' the bill aims to provide a more realistic baseline for budget projections, potentially leading to more accurate fiscal planning.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 113 would likely lead to a more stringent budget process with increased pressure on Congress to agree on a budget resolution promptly. It could also result in a more accurate budget baseline, reducing the potential for inflated spending projections.
Furthermore, the bill could incentivize the timely submission of the President's budget by holding the salaries of key OMB officials in escrow. This could lead to greater accountability and adherence to statutory deadlines.
However, the effectiveness of the salary escrow provision for members of Congress may be limited, as it only applies to one chamber at a time and has a sunset provision at the end of the Congress.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Fiscal Responsibility: Removing the discretionary inflater could lead to more realistic budget projections and reduced spending.
- Enhanced Accountability: Holding congressional salaries in escrow may incentivize timely budget agreement.
- Timely Budget Submission: Penalizing OMB officials for late budget submissions could ensure adherence to deadlines.
- Potential for Reduced Deficits: More accurate budget baselines could contribute to better fiscal planning and reduced deficits.
- Greater Transparency: The bill promotes transparency by requiring the Inspector General of the OPM to determine compliance with budget submission requirements.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Political Gridlock: The salary escrow provision could exacerbate political tensions and make budget negotiations more difficult.
- Limited Scope: The salary escrow provision only applies to one chamber of Congress at a time, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
- Unintended Consequences: Holding salaries in escrow could lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced staff morale or difficulty attracting qualified individuals to government service.
- Constitutionality Concerns: Some may argue that holding congressional salaries in escrow could violate the 27th Amendment, although the bill attempts to address this concern.
- Focus on Penalties: The bill focuses primarily on penalties rather than addressing the underlying causes of budget delays and disagreements.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is potentially questionable, particularly concerning the provision to hold congressional salaries in escrow. Article I, Section 6, Clause 1, addresses congressional compensation, and the 27th Amendment prevents laws varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. The bill attempts to circumvent this by releasing the funds at the end of the Congress, but the legality of this approach could be challenged.
The requirement for the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management to determine compliance with budget submission requirements aligns with the principle of oversight and accountability, which is consistent with the Constitution's emphasis on checks and balances.
Overall, the bill's alignment with the Constitution is mixed, with the salary escrow provision raising the most significant concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).