Biennial Budgeting Act of 2006 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require: (1) biennial (currently, annual) budget resolutions; (2) biennial appropriations Acts; and (3) biennial government strategic and performance plans.
Makes conforming amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year.
Requires: (1) a federal agency, upon request by a congressional committee, to provide appropriate information regarding its appropriations requests and program administration; (2) the Comptroller General to furnish to such committee summaries of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General has completed during the preceding six years; and (3) the Comptroller General, Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to furnish such committee appropriate information, studies, analyses, and reports.
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine and report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year, and the budget process based on that definition, to a two-year fiscal period with a biennial budget process based on such period.
Requires the President's budget submission for FY2008 to include: (1) an identification of the budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY2008-FY2009 biennium; and (2) budget authority that should be provided for each such fiscal year for the budget accounts.
Directs: (1) the House and Senate committees, during the first session of the 110th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule; and (2) the Comptroller General, during such Congress, to continue to provide assistance to Congress with respect to programmatic oversight, and in particular to assist the congressional committees in designing and conforming programmatic oversight procedures for FY2009-FY2010 biennium.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6024 Referral Instructions House (RIH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6024
To provide a biennial budget for the United States Government.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 28, 2006
Mr. Whitfield (for himself, Mr. Hefley, Mr. Bass, Mr. Jones of North
Carolina, Mr. Upton, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Pence, Mr. Terry, Ms.
Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, Mr. Stearns, and Mr. English of
Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Budget, for a period ending not later than September
29, 2006, and in addition to the Committees on Rules and Government
Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide a biennial budget for the United States Government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Biennial Budgeting
Act of 2006''.
(b) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
(1) the annual appropriations and budget process
increasingly dominates the congressional agenda and Congress
regularly fails to meet the deadlines of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974;
(2) the design of the budget process has led to repetitive
and time-consuming budget votes, decreasing the time available
for the systematic and programmatic oversight of Federal
programs and delaying the enactment of legislation necessary to
fund the Government;
(3) Congress's responsibility to improve the efficiency,
economy, and effectiveness of governmental operations, evaluate
programs and performance, detect and prevent poor
administration, waste, or abuse in Government programs, ensure
that executive policies reflect the public interest, ensure
administrative compliance with legislative intent, and prevent
executive encroachment on legislative authority and
prerogatives is undermined by the current time-consuming and
repetitive budget process;
(4) an annual budget process encourages inefficiency in the
management, stability, and predictability of Federal funding,
particularly for States and localities; and
(5) a biennial budget process will reduce the number of
budget-related votes during each Congress, enhance
congressional oversight of Government operations, encourage
longer time horizons in policy planning and greater stability
in fiscal policy.
SEC. 2. REVISION OF TIMETABLE.
Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631)
is amended to read as follows:
``timetable
``Sec. 300. (a) 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 Eleventh Congress) is as
follows:
``First Session
``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 Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
submission.
April 1.............................. Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the biennial budget.
May 15............................... Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget.
May 15............................... Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House.
June 10.............................. House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation bill.
June 30.............................. House completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1............................ Biennium begins.
``Second Session
``On or before: Action to be completed:
February 15.......................... President submits budget review.
Not later than 6 weeks after Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
President submits budget review.
The last day of the session.......... Congress completes action on bills and resolutions authorizing new budget
authority for the succeeding biennium.
``(b) 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):
``First Session
``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 concurrent resolution on the biennial budget.
June 1............................... Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget.
June 1............................... Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House.
July 1............................... House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation bill.
July 20.............................. House completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1............................ Biennium begins.''.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL
ACT OF 1974.
(a) 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''.
(b) Definitions.--
(1) 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''.
(2) Biennium.--Section 3 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 622) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-
numbered year.''.
(c) Biennial Concurrent Resolution on the Budget.--
(1) Contents of resolution.--Section 301(a) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 632(a)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by--
(i) striking ``April 15 of each year'' and
inserting ``May 15 of each odd-numbered year'';
(ii) 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''; and
(iii) striking ``the fiscal year beginning
on October 1 of such year'' the second place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in
such period'';
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``for the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in the
biennium''; and
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``for the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in the
biennium''.
(2) Additional matters.--Section 301(b) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 632(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``for such fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for either fiscal year in such
biennium''; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``for the first
fiscal year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium''.
(3) 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''.
(4) Hearings.--Section 301(e)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
632(e)) is amended by--
(A) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''; and
(B) 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 concurrent resolution on
the budget referred to in subsection (a) for the
biennium beginning on October 1 of that year.''.
(5) 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''.
(6) 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''.
(7) Section heading.--The section heading of section 301 of
such Act is amended by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''.
(8) 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''.
(d) Committee Allocations.--Section 302 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 633)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by--
(A) striking ``for the first fiscal year of the
resolution,'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium,'';
(B) striking ``for that period of fiscal years''
and inserting ``for all fiscal years covered by the
resolution''; and
(C) striking ``for the fiscal year of that
resolution'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``for a fiscal year''
and inserting ``for a biennium'';
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``first fiscal year''
and inserting ``either fiscal year of the biennium'';
(4) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by--
(A) striking ``first fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year of the biennium''; and
(B) striking ``the total of fiscal years'' and
inserting ``the total of all fiscal years covered by
the resolution''; and
(5) in subsection (g)(1)(A), by striking ``April'' and
inserting ``May''.
(e) Section 303 Point of Order.--
(1) In general.--Section 303(a) 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''.
(2) Exceptions in the house.--Section 303(b) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 634(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``the budget
year'' and inserting ``the biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``the biennium''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(or June 1
whenever section 300(b) is applicable)''.
(3) Application to the senate.--Section 303(c)(1) of such
Act (2 U.S.C. 634(c)) is amended by--
(A) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''; and
(B) striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year of that biennium''.
(f) Permissible Revisions of Concurrent Resolutions on the
Budget.--Section 304 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 635) is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year'' the first two places it
appears and inserting ``biennium'';
(2) by striking ``for such fiscal year''; and
(3) by inserting before the period ``for such biennium''.
(g) 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''.
(h) Completion of House Committee Action on Appropriation Bills.--
Section 307 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) by striking ``each year'' and inserting ``each odd-
numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section
300(b), July 1)'';
(2) by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``biennial'';
(3) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium'';
and
(4) by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each odd-
numbered year''.
(i) Quarterly Budget Reports.--Section 308 of such Act (2 U.S.C.
639) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Quarterly Budget Reports.--The Director of the Congressional
Budget Office shall, as soon as practicable after the completion of
each quarter of the fiscal year, prepare an analysis comparing
revenues, spending, and the deficit or surplus for the current fiscal
year to assumptions included in the congressional budget resolution. In
preparing this report, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
shall combine actual budget figures to date with projected revenue and
spending for the balance of the fiscal year. The Director of the
Congressional Budget Office shall include any other information in this
report that it deems useful for a full understanding of the current
fiscal position of the Federal Government. The reports mandated by this
subsection shall be transmitted by the Director to the Senate and House
Committees on the Budget, and the Congressional Budget Office shall
make such reports available to any interested party upon request.''.
(j) Completion of House Action on Regular Appropriation Bills.--
Section 309 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 640) is amended--
(1) by striking ``It'' and inserting ``Except whenever
section 300(b) is applicable, it'';
(2) by inserting ``of any odd-numbered calendar year''
after ``July'';
(3) by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''; and
(4) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium''.
(k) Reconciliation Process.--Section 310 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 641)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``any fiscal year'' and inserting ``any
biennium'';
(2) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``such fiscal year''
each place it appears and inserting ``any fiscal year covered
by such resolution''; and
(3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection
(g) as subsection (f).
(l) Section 311 Point of Order.--
(1) In the house.--Section 311(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
642(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting
``for a biennium'';
(B) by striking ``the first fiscal year'' each
place it appears and inserting ``either fiscal year of
the biennium''; and
(C) by striking ``that first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(2) In the senate.--Section 311(a)(2) of such Act is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``for the
first fiscal year'' and inserting ``for either fiscal
year of the biennium''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``that first fiscal year''
the first place it appears and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(ii) by striking ``that first fiscal year
and the ensuing fiscal years'' and inserting
``all fiscal years''.
(3) Social security levels.--Section 311(a)(3) of such Act
is amended by--
(A) striking ``for the first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(B) striking ``that fiscal year and the ensuing
fiscal years'' and inserting ``all fiscal years''.
(m) Maximum Deficit Amount Point of Order.--Section 312(c) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 643) is amended--
(1) by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting ``for a
biennium'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``either fiscal year in the biennium'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``that fiscal year'' and
inserting ``either fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(4) in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking
``that fiscal year'' and inserting ``the applicable fiscal
year''.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) Clause 4(a)(1)(A) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by inserting ``odd-numbered'' after
``each''.
(b) Clause 4(a)(4) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''.
(c) 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''.
(d) 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:
``(7) use the second session of each Congress to study issues with
long-term budgetary and economic implications, which would include--
``(A) hold hearings to receive testimony from committees of
jurisdiction to identify problem areas and to report on the
results of oversight; and
``(B) 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.''.
(e) Clause 11(i) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``the same or preceding fiscal
year''.
(f) 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''.
(g) Clause 4(f) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended--
(1) by inserting ``during each odd-numbered year'' after
``submits his budget'';
(2) by striking ``fiscal year'' the first place it appears
and inserting ``biennium''; and
(3) by striking ``that fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in such ensuing biennium''.
(h) 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''.
(i) 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 year in which such biennium begins''.
SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Definition.--Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
``(3) `biennium' has the meaning given to such term in
paragraph (11) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(11)).''.
(b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress.--
(1) Schedule.--The matter preceding paragraph (1) in
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(a) On or before the first Monday in February of each odd-
numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section 300(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974), beginning with the One Hundred Tenth
Congress, the President shall transmit to the Congress, the budget for
the biennium beginning on October 1 of such calendar year. The budget
transmitted under this subsection shall include a budget message and
summary and supporting information. The President shall include in each
budget the following:''.
(2) Expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
(3) Receipts.--Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
(4) Balance statements.--Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(5) Government functions and activities.--Section
1105(a)(12) of title 31, United States Code, is amended in
subparagraph (A), by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(6) Allowances.--Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(7) Allowances for unanticipated and uncontrollable
expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium for which the budget is
submitted''.
(8) Tax expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(9) Estimates for future years.--Section 1105(a)(17) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the fiscal year following the
fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
biennium following the biennium'';
(B) by striking ``that following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each such fiscal year''; and
(C) by striking ``fiscal year before the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``biennium before the biennium''.
(10) Prior year outlays.--Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years,'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' and inserting ``in
those fiscal years''.
(11) Prior year receipts.--Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' each place it
appears and inserting ``in those fiscal years''.
(c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches.--
Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``each year'' and inserting ``each even numbered year''.
(d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies.--Section
1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the first place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for'';
(2) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the second place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium, as
the case may be,''; and
(3) by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``for each year
of the biennium''.
(e) Capital Investment Analysis.--Section 1105(e)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``ensuing fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium to which such budget relates''.
(f) Supplemental Budget Estimates and Changes.--
(1) In general.--Section 1106(a) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by--
(i) inserting ``and before February 15 of
each even numbered year'' after ``Before July
16 of each year''; and
(ii) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``that fiscal
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in such
biennium'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``4 fiscal years
following the fiscal year'' and inserting ``4 fiscal
years following the biennium''; and
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``fiscal year''
and inserting ``biennium''.
(2) Changes.--Section 1106(b) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended by--
(A) striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(B) inserting ``and before February 15 of each even
numbered year'' after ``Before July 16 of each year''.
(g) Current Programs and Activities Estimates.--
(1) The president.--Section 1109(a) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``On or before the first Monday
after January 3 of each year (on or before February 5
in 1986)'' and inserting ``At the same time the budget
required by section 1105 is submitted for a biennium'';
and
(B) by striking ``the following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year of such period''.
(2) Joint economic committee.--Section 1109(b) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 1 of each
year'' and inserting ``within 6 weeks of the President's budget
submission for each odd-numbered year (or, if applicable, as
provided by section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974)''.
(h) Year-Ahead Requests for Authorizing Legislation.--Section 1110
of title 31, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) striking ``May 16'' and inserting ``March 31''; and
(2) striking ``year before the year in which the fiscal
year begins'' and inserting ``calendar year preceding the
calendar year in which the biennium begins''.
SEC. 6. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS
ACTS.
Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts
``(a) 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).'.
``(b) 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.
``(c) For purposes of this section, the term `biennium' has the
same meaning as in section 3(11) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(11)).''.
SEC. 7. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``multiyear authorizations of appropriations
Sec. 316.(a) Point of Order.--(1)(A) 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.
``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, 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.
``(2) Paragraph (1) 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.'.
``(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term `measure' means a
bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report''.
(b) 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 315 the following new item:
``Sec. 316. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations.''.
SEC. 8. GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC AND PERFORMANCE PLANS ON A BIENNIAL BASIS.
(a) Strategic Plans.--Section 306 of title 5, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 30, 1997''
and inserting ``September 30, 2008'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``at least every three years'' and
inserting ``at least every 4 years''; and
(B) by striking ``five years forward'' and
inserting ``six years forward''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after
``section'' the second place it appears and adding ``including
a strategic plan submitted by September 30, 2008, meeting the
requirements of subsection (a)''.
(b) 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 2010, a biennial''.
(c) Performance Plans.--Section 1115 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``section 1105(a)(29)'' and
inserting ``section 1105(a)(28)''; and
(ii) by striking ``an annual'' and
inserting ``a biennial'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting after ``program
activity'' the following: ``for both years 1 and 2 of
the biennial plan'';
(C) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon,
(D) in paragraph (6) by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and inserting ``and'' after the
inserted semicolon; and
(E) by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with
the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.'';
(2) in subsection (d) by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''; and
(3) in paragraph (6) of subsection (f) by striking
``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''.
(d) Managerial Accountability and Flexibility.--Section 9703 of
title 31, United States Code, relating to managerial accountability, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``annual'';
and
(B) by striking ``section 1105(a)(29)'' and
inserting ``section 1105(a)(28)'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``one or''
before ``years'';
(B) in the second sentence by striking ``a
subsequent year'' and inserting ``for a subsequent 2-
year period''; and
(C) in the third sentence by striking ``three'' and
inserting ``four''.
(e) Pilot Projects for Performance Budgeting.--Section 1119 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) of subsection (d), by striking
``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''.
(f) Strategic Plans.--Section 2802 of title 39, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 30, 1997''
and inserting ``September 30, 2008'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``at least every three
years'' and inserting ``at least every 4 years'';
(3) by striking ``five years forward'' and inserting ``six
years forward''; and
(4) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after
``section'' the second place it appears and inserting
``including a strategic plan submitted by September 30, 2008,
meeting the requirements of subsection (a)''.
(g) Performance Plans.--Section 2803(a) of title 39, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``an
annual'' and inserting ``a biennial'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``program
activity'' the following: ``for both years 1 and 2 of the
biennial plan'';
(3) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(5) by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with
the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.''.
(h) 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.''.
(i) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on March 1, 2009.
(2) Agency actions.--Effective on and after the date of
enactment of this Act, each agency shall take such actions as
necessary to prepare and submit any plan or report in
accordance with the amendments made by it.
SEC. 9. BIENNIAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
(a) In the House of Representatives.--(1) 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:
``(3)(A) 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.
``(B) 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.'.
``(C) 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.''.
(2) 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)''.
(b) In the Senate.--(1) Title III of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``consideration of biennial appropriation bills
``Sec. 317. It shall not be in order in the Senate in any odd-
numbered year to consider any regular appropriation bill providing new
budget authority or a limitation on obligations under the jurisdiction
of the Committee on Appropriations for only the first fiscal year of a
biennium, unless the program, project, or activity for which the new
budget authority or obligation limitation is provided will require no
additional authority beyond one year and will be completed or
terminated after the amount provided has been expended.''.
(2) 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 316 the following new item:
``Sec. 317. Consideration of biennial appropriation bills.''.
SEC. 10. ASSISTANCE BY FEDERAL AGENCIES TO STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) Summaries by Comptroller General.--Within thirty 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 six years.
(d) 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.
SEC. 11. REPORT ON TWO-YEAR FISCAL PERIOD.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall--
(1) determine the impact and feasibility of changing the
definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on
that definition to a 2-year fiscal period with a biennial
budget process based on the 2-year period; and
(2) report the findings of the study to the Committees on
the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate and
the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 12. SPECIAL TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THE 110TH CONGRESS.
(a) President's Budget Submission for Fiscal Year 2008.--The budget
submission of the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, for fiscal year 2008 shall include the following:
(1) An identification of the budget accounts for which an
appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the fiscal
year 2008-2009 biennium.
(2) Budget authority that should be provided for each such
fiscal year for the budget accounts identified under paragraph
(1).
(b) Review and Recommendations of the Committees on
Appropriations.--The Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate shall review the items included pursuant
to subsection (a) in the budget submission of the President for fiscal
year 2008 and include its recommendations thereon in its views and
estimates made under section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 within 6 weeks of that budget submission.
(c) Actions by the Committees on the Budget.--(1) The Committee on
the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall review
the items included pursuant to subsection (a) in the budget submission
of the President for fiscal year 2008 and the recommendations submitted
by the Committee on Appropriations of its House pursuant to subsection
(b) included in its views and estimates made under section 301(d) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(2) The report of the Committee on the Budget of each House
accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year
2008 and the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying such
resolution shall also include allocations to the Committee on
Appropriations of its House of total new budget authority and total
outlays (which shall be deemed to be made pursuant to section 302(a) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for purposes of budget enforcement
under section 302(f)) for fiscal year 2009 from which the Committee on
Appropriations may report regular appropriation bills for fiscal year
2008 that include funding for certain accounts for each of fiscal years
2008 and 2009.
(3) The report of the Committee on the Budget of each House
accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year
2008 and the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying such
resolution shall also include the assumptions upon which such
allocations referred to in paragraph (2) are based.
(d) GAO Programmatic Oversight Assistance.--(1) During the first
session of the 110th Congress the committees of the House of
Representatives and the Senate are directed to work with the
Comptroller General of the United States to develop plans to transition
program authorizations to a multi-year schedule.
(2) During the 110th Congress, the Comptroller General of the
United States will continue to provide assistance to the Congress with
respect to programmatic oversight and in particular will assist the
committees of Congress in designing and conforming programmatic
oversight procedures for the fiscal year 2009-2010 biennium.
(e) CBO Authorization Report.--On or before January 15, 2008, the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with
the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and Senate,
shall submit to the Congress a report listing (A) all programs and
activities funded during fiscal year 2008 for which authorizations for
appropriations have not been enacted for that fiscal year and (B) all
programs and activities funded during fiscal year 2008 for which
authorizations for appropriations will expire during that fiscal year,
fiscal year 2009, or fiscal year 2010.
(f) President's Budget Submission for Fiscal Year 2006.--The budget
submission of the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, for fiscal year 2009 shall include an evaluation
of, and recommendations regarding, the transitional biennial budget
process for the fiscal year 2008-2009 biennium that was carried out
pursuant to this section.
(g) CBO Transitional Report.--On or before March 31, 2008, the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall submit to Congress an
evaluation of, and recommendations regarding, the transitional biennial
budget process for the fiscal year 2008-2009 biennium that was carried
out pursuant to this section.
SEC. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as provided by sections 8, 11, and 12, this Act and the
amendments made by it shall take effect on January 1, 2009, and shall
apply to budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium
beginning with fiscal year 2010.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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