HR 534 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To improve the ability of Congress to set spending priorities and enforce spending limits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 14, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. NEUGEBAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules and the Budget, 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 concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To improve the ability of Congress to set spending priorities and enforce spending limits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Responsible Government Empowerment Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--SUNSETTING OF FEDERAL AGENCIES

Sec. 101. Review and abolishment of Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Establishment of Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Review of efficiency and need for Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Criteria for review.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Commission oversight.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Rulemaking authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Relocation of Federal employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 108. Program inventory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 109. Definition of agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 110. Offset of amounts appropriated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY SPENDING LEGISLATION

Sec. 201. Single purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Treatment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 203. Treatment of earmarks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--STATUTORY DISCRETIONARY SPENDING CAPS

Sec. 301. Congressional action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ADDITIONAL BUDGETARY ENFORCEMENT MEASURES

Sec. 401. Specific dollar amounts required for authorizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. GAO statement in committee reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. CBO cost estimate required for all bills considered by the House of Representatives or the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 404. Recorded votes required on authorization of more than $75,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--SUNSETTING OF FEDERAL AGENCIESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. REVIEW AND ABOLISHMENT OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) Schedule for Review- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Agency Sunset Commission established under section 102 (in this title referred to as the ‘Commission’) shall submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years (or less, if determined appropriate by Congress), of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Review of Agencies Performing Related Functions- In determining the schedule for review of agencies under subsection (a), the Commission shall provide that agencies that perform similar or related functions be reviewed concurrently to promote efficiency and consolidation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Abolishment of Agencies-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Each agency shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) be reviewed according to the schedule created pursuant to this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) be abolished not later than one year after the date that the Commission completes its review of the agency pursuant to such schedule, unless the agency is reauthorized by the Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXTENSION- The deadline for abolishing an agency may be extended for an additional two years after the date described in paragraph (1)(B) if the Congress enacts legislation extending such deadline by a vote of a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

(a) Establishment- There is established a commission to be known as the ‘Federal Agency Sunset Commission’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Composition- The Commission shall be composed of 12 members (in this title referred to as the ‘members’) who shall be appointed as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Six members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom may include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with minority members appointed with the consent of the minority leader of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Six members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom may include the majority leader of the Senate, with minority members appointed with the consent of the minority leader of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Qualifications of Members-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- (A) Of the members appointed under subsection (b)(1), four shall be members of the House of Representatives (not more than two of whom may be of the same political party), and two shall be an individual described in subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Of the members appointed under subsection (b)(2), four shall be members of the Senate (not more than two of whom may be of the same political party) and two shall be an individual described in subparagraph (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) An individual under this subparagraph is an individual--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) who is not a member of Congress; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) with expertise in the operation and administration of Government programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP- If a member was appointed to the Commission as a Member of Congress and the member ceases to be a Member of Congress, that member shall cease to be a member of the Commission. The validity of any action of the Commission shall not be affected as a result of a member becoming ineligible to serve as a member for the reasons described in this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Initial Appointments- All initial appointments to the Commission shall be made not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Chairman; Vice Chairman-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INITIAL CHAIRMAN- An individual shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among the members initially appointed under subsection (b)(1) to serve as chairman of the Commission for a period of 2 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INITIAL VICE-CHAIRMAN- An individual shall be designated by the majority leader of the Senate from among the individuals initially appointed under subsection (b)(2) to serve as vice-chairman of the Commission for a period of two years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ALTERNATE APPOINTMENTS OF CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN- Following the termination of the two-year period described in paragraphs (1) and (2), the Speaker and the majority leader shall alternate every two years in appointing the chairman and vice-chairman of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Terms of Members-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS- Each member appointed to the Commission who is a member of Congress shall serve for a term of six years, except that, of the members first appointed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), 2 members shall be appointed to serve a term of three years under each such paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) OTHER MEMBERS- Each member of the Commission who is not a member of Congress shall serve for a term of three years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TERM LIMIT- (A) A member of the Commission who is a member of Congress and who serves more than three years of a term may not be appointed to another term as a member.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) A member of the Commission who is not a member of Congress and who serves as a member of the Commission for more than 56 months may not be appointed to another term as a member.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Powers of Commission-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) OBTAINING INFORMATION- The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this title. Upon request of the Chairman, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission in a full and timely manner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SUBPOENA POWER- (A) The Commission may issue a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) If a person refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commission that is issued in connection with a Commission proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United States district court in the judicial district in which the proceeding is held for an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena or order.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) IMMUNITY- The Commission is an agency of the United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) CONTRACT AUTHORITY- The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Commission Procedures-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MEETINGS- The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) QUORUM- Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Personnel Matters-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPENSATION- Members shall not be paid by reason of their service as members.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR- The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Chairman. The Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) STAFF- The Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as the Director considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE LAWS- The Director and staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Other Administrative Matters-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) POSTAL AND PRINTING SERVICES- The Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES- Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS- The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Sunset of Commission- The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2033, unless reauthorized by Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. REVIEW OF EFFICIENCY AND NEED FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) In General- The Commission shall review the efficiency and public need for each agency in accordance with the criteria described in section 104.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Recommendations; Report to Congress- The Commission shall submit to Congress and the President not later than September 1 of each year a report containing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an analysis of the efficiency of operation and public need for each agency to be reviewed in the year in which the report is submitted pursuant to the schedule submitted to Congress under section 101;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) recommendations on whether each such agency should be abolished or reorganized;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) recommendations on whether the functions of any other agencies should be consolidated, transferred, or reorganized in an agency to be reviewed in the year in which the report is submitted pursuant to the schedule submitted to Congress under section 101; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) recommendations for administrative and legislative action with respect to each such agency, but not including recommendations for appropriation levels.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Draft Legislation- The Commission shall submit to Congress and the President not later than September 1 of each year a draft of legislation to carry out the recommendations of the Commission under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Information Gathering- The Commission shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) conduct public hearings on the abolishment of each agency reviewed under subsection (b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provide an opportunity for public comment on the abolishment of each such agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) require the agency to provide information to the Commission as appropriate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) consult with the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and Budget, the Comptroller General, and the chairman and ranking minority members of the committees of Congress with oversight responsibility for the agency being reviewed regarding the operation of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Use of Program Inventory- The Commission shall use the program inventory prepared under section 108 in reviewing the efficiency and public need for each agency under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. CRITERIA FOR REVIEW.

The Commission shall evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency pursuant to section 103 using the following criteria:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The effectiveness, and the efficiency of the operation of, the programs carried out by each such agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Whether the programs carried out by the agency are cost-effective.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Whether the agency has acted outside the scope of its original authority, and whether the original objectives of the agency have been achieved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Whether less restrictive or alternative methods exist to carry out the functions of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The extent to which the jurisdiction of, and the programs administered by, the agency duplicate or conflict with the jurisdiction and programs of other agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The potential benefits of consolidating programs administered by the agency with similar or duplicative programs of other agencies, and the potential for consolidating such programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The number and types of beneficiaries or persons served by programs carried out by the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The extent to which any trends, developments, and emerging conditions that are likely to affect the future nature and extent of the problems or needs that the programs carried out by the agency are intended to address.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) The extent to which the agency has complied with the provisions contained in the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62; 107 Stat. 285).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) The promptness and effectiveness with which the agency seeks public input and input from State and local governments on the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the functions of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) Whether the agency has worked to enact changes in the law that are intended to benefit the public as a whole rather than the specific business, institution, or individuals that the agency regulates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) The extent to which the agency has encouraged participation by the public as a whole in making its rules and decisions rather than encouraging participation solely by those it regulates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) The extent to which the public participation in rulemaking and decisionmaking of the agency has resulted in rules and decisions compatible with the objectives of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) The extent to which the agency complies with section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Freedom of Information Act’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) The extent to which the agency complies with equal employment opportunity requirements regarding equal employment opportunity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) The extent of the regulatory, privacy, and paperwork impacts of the programs carried out by the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) The extent to which the agency has coordinated with State and local governments in performing the functions of the agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(18) The potential effects of abolishing the agency on State and local governments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(19) The extent to which changes are necessary in the authorizing statutes of the agency in order that the functions of the agency can be performed in the most efficient and effective manner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. COMMISSION OVERSIGHT.

(a) Monitoring of Implementation of Recommendations- The Commission shall monitor implementation of laws enacting provisions that incorporate recommendations of the Commission with respect to abolishment or reorganization of agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Monitoring of Other Relevant Legislation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Commission shall review and report to Congress on all legislation introduced in either house of Congress that would establish--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a new agency; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a new program to be carried out by an existing agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Commission shall include in each report submitted to Congress under paragraph (1) an analysis of whether--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the functions of the proposed agency or program could be carried out by one or more existing agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the functions of the proposed agency or program could be carried out in a less restrictive manner than the manner proposed in the legislation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the legislation provides for public input regarding the performance of functions by the proposed agency or program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 106. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

The Commission may promulgate such rules as necessary to carry out this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 107. RELOCATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

If the position of an employee of an agency is eliminated as a result of the abolishment of an agency in accordance with this title, there shall be a reasonable effort to relocate such employee to a position within another agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 108. PROGRAM INVENTORY.

(a) Preparation- The Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of Federal programs (in this title referred to as the ‘program inventory’) within each agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purpose- The purpose of the program inventory is to advise and assist the Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this title. Such inventory shall not in any way bind the committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives with respect to their responsibilities under this title and shall not infringe on the legislative and oversight responsibilities of such committees. The Comptroller General shall compile and maintain the inventory and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall provide budgetary information for inclusion in the inventory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Inventory Content- The program inventory shall set forth for each program each of the following matters:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The specific provision or provisions of law authorizing the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives which have legislative or oversight jurisdiction over the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) A brief statement of the purpose or purposes to be achieved by the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The committees which have jurisdiction over legislation providing new budget authority for the program, including the appropriate subcommittees of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The agency and, if applicable, the subdivision thereof responsible for administering the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The grants-in-aid, if any, provided by such program to State and local governments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The next reauthorization date for the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) A unique identification number which links the program and functional category structure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) The year in which the program was originally established and, where applicable, the year in which the program expires.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Where applicable, the year in which new budget authority for the program was last authorized and the year in which current authorizations of new budget authority expire.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Budget Authority- The report also shall set forth for each program whether the new budget authority provided for such programs is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) authorized for a definite period of time;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) authorized in a specific dollar amount but without limit of time;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) authorized without limit of time or dollar amounts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) not specifically authorized; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) permanently provided,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





as determined by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) CBO Information- For each program or group of programs, the program inventory also shall include information prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office indicating each of the following matters:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The amounts of new budget authority authorized and provided for the program for each of the preceding four fiscal years and, where applicable, the four succeeding fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The functional and subfunctional category in which the program is presently classified and was classified under the fiscal year 2009 budget.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The identification code and title of the appropriation account in which budget authority is provided for the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Mutual Exchange of Information- The General Accounting Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Congressional Budget Office shall permit the mutual exchange of available information in their possession which would aid in the compilation of the program inventory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Assistance by Executive Branch- The Office of Management and Budget, and the Executive agencies and the subdivisions thereof shall, to the extent necessary and possible, provide the General Accounting Office with assistance requested by the Comptroller General in the compilation of the program inventory.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 109. DEFINITION OF AGENCY.

As used in this title, the term ‘agency’ has the meaning given that term by section 105 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term includes an advisory committee as that term is defined in section 102(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 110. OFFSET OF AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED.

Amounts appropriated to carry out this title shall be offset by a reduction in amounts appropriated to carry out programs of other Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY SPENDING LEGISLATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. SINGLE PURPOSE.

It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any measure making supplemental appropriations for two or more unrelated emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. TREATMENT.

(a) Point of Order- (1) A provision containing any spending that is not designated as emergency spending may not be reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider the conference report on any measure making supplemental appropriations if such measure contains any spending that is not designated as emergency spending.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, or conference report if the accompanying report or joint statement of managers, as applicable, does not comply with subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Committee Notification of Emergency Legislation- Whenever the Committee on Appropriations or any other committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate (including a committee of conference) reports any bill or joint resolution that provides budget authority for any emergency, the report accompanying that bill or joint resolution (or the joint explanatory statement of managers in the case of a conference report on any such bill or joint resolution) shall identify all provisions that provide budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom for such emergency and include a statement of the reasons why such budget authority meets the definition of an emergency and a justification of why such funding is in a supplemental appropriation and not the regular appropriation for the next fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Definition of Emergency- (1) As used in this section, the term ‘emergency’ means a situation that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) requires new budget authority and outlays (or new budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom) for the prevention or mitigation of, or response to, loss of life or property, or a threat to national security; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) is unanticipated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) As used in paragraph (1), the term ‘unanticipated’ means that the situation is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) sudden, which means quickly coming into being or not building up over time;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) urgent, which means a pressing and compelling need requiring immediate action;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) unforeseen, which means not predicted or anticipated as an emerging need; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) temporary, which means not of a permanent duration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. TREATMENT OF EARMARKS.

(a) Points of Order- (1) A provision containing an earmark may not be reported in a measure making supplemental appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider the conference report on any measure making supplemental appropriations if such measure contains any earmarks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition of Earmark- As used in subsection (a), the term ‘earmark’ has the meaning given to the term ‘congressional earmark’ in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--STATUTORY DISCRETIONARY SPENDING CAPSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.

Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Committees on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall each report a bill--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) establishing discretionary spending limits for at least each of the 3 fiscal years beginning at least 90 calendar days after such bill is reported; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) providing that such limits shall be enforceable through presidential sequestration orders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--ADDITIONAL BUDGETARY ENFORCEMENT MEASURESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 401. SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNTS REQUIRED FOR AUTHORIZATIONS.

It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that authorizes a program, project, or activity and does not set forth a specific dollar amount for such authorization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. GAO STATEMENT IN COMMITTEE REPORTS.

(a) Committee Reports- Each report of a committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate on a bill or joint resolution authorizing any program, project, or activity shall contain a statement by the General Accounting Office describing the degree to which such authorization is duplicative of an existing authorization for any program, project, or activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendment- The Director of the General Accounting Office shall prepare for each bill or joint resolution described in subsection (a) and reported by any committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate, and submit to such committee the information required by that subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 403. CBO COST ESTIMATE REQUIRED FOR ALL BILLS CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE SENATE.

It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, unless the chairman of the committee with jurisdiction over such bill or joint resolution has made available an estimate by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or joint resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to become effective and each of the 4 fiscal years following such fiscal year, together with a basis for each such estimate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 404. RECORDED VOTES REQUIRED ON AUTHORIZATION OF MORE THAN $75,000,000.

In the House of Representatives or the Senate, a recorded vote shall be required on final passage of any bill, joint resolution, or conference report that authorizes the appropriations of more than $75,000,000 for a period of not to exceed 5 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink