Recent News

“Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office” (“CBO”) is the subject of today’s House Budget Committee hearing. CBO exists to reduce Congress’ dependence on the executive branch for budget and economic analysis.

Reviving Congress can restore America’s conference. Congress must be able to budget well, update programs regularly and uphold the Constitution’s separation of powers.

Congress’ annual policy work depends on timely information from the president’s budget request and national security strategy, and both are due in early February each year. Congress could refrain from inviting the president to give the State of the Union address until it receives those materials.

Ending shutdowns is a step toward effective Congress-led budgeting.

Balanced budget rules are normal and necessary.

Constitutional and statutory rules for budget balance are standard in U.S. states and in other prosperous countries. To restore sound finances and inspire more bottom-up, effective, and comprehensive budgeting, the United States should adopt this global best practice. A robust competition between BBAs in the House is the place to start. 

Many Americans’ property taxes are high and rising due to local governments’ wasteful spending and revenue diversions. State legislators can address these problems.

AFP is committed to helping Congress approve the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, rescissions requests, and other ways to get federal finances back on solid ground. Senator Johnson is right to call for getting spending under control. We hope his report helps his colleagues take on this challenge and elevate the structural solutions for Congress to create an effective regular order that supports responsible federal policymaking.