Recent News
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider H.J.Res. 139, Rep. Andy Biggs’ proposal for a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the United States Constitution. It will be the first time that Congress votes on a BBA that would balance over the medium term instead of every year.
Members of Congress and their advisors are creative. They can figure out better ways to prevent, deter, and prosecute misuse of taxpayer funds. How tragic, then, that members have limited legislative opportunities to spread their wings.
The Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act will help members of Congress become more effective legislators. Some will specialize in coalition building, some in policy development, and others in communications. All will have more ways to develop their strengths.
Congressional committees should be preparing to release their legislative hopes for the year right now, at least in broad strokes. This is the first congressional step in the annual budget process after Congress gets the president’s budget request and the Congressional Budget Office’s baseline update.
Tune in for a lively discussion on commonsense fiscal policy with AFP’s Kurt Couchman and Congressman Andy Biggs.
AFP senior fellow Kurt Couchman’s statement for a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on potential shutdown impacts.
Members of Congress need an annual schedule with a regular cadence. Shared expectations support policy development, coalition building, and healthy competition on a wide range of priorities.
This series aims to illustrate how Congress can become the empowered, yet bounded, legislature that America needs.
What share of federal health subsidies are “discretionary” spending and therefore part of the annual appropriations bills? 10.8 percent.
