A bipartisan Senate bill calls for significant reforms to the way Congress spends money, converting the federal government’s annual budget and appropriations process to a two-year cycle.
The legislation, sponsored by both of Virginia’s Democratic senators and supported by 16 Republicans, calls for the president to submit a two-year budget at the beginning of the first session of a Congress. Lawmakers then would be required to adopt two-year budget and appropriations bills during that session.
The second year of the session would be devoted to oversight of federal programs.
Twenty states operate on a two-year budget cycle, but that number has dropped since the 1940s as more states move to annual cycles.
“It’s clear that Congress’ current budgeting and appropriations process is broken,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, who introduced the bill this week along with fellow Virginia Democrat Mark Warner.
“In Virginia,” said Kaine, “we’ve seen firsthand how biennial budgeting can produce positive results and I believe adopting such a model would dramatically improve our ability to achieve normal budget order, giving certainty to families and businesses.” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced in October that Old Dominion is facing a budget deficit of $882 million.
The pair introduced similar legislation last Congress. But the legislation is poised to go further this session, as Republicans — who generally support such a move — are now in control of the chamber.
The bill so far has 16 Republican co-sponsors, along with five in the Democratic caucus.
