[House Report 106-1055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 617
106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - House Report 106-1055
ACTIVITIES
and
SUMMARY REPORT
of the
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
One Hundred Sixth Congress
(Pursuant to House Rule XI, Cl. 1.(d))
January 2, 2001.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
89-006 WASHINGTON : 2000
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET
JOHN R. KASICH, Ohio, Chairman
SAXBY CHAMBLISS, Georgia, JOHN M. SPRATT, Jr., South
Speaker's Designee Carolina,
CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, Connecticut Ranking Minority Member
WALLY HERGER, California JIM McDERMOTT, Washington,
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey Leadership Designee
NICK SMITH, Michigan LYNN N. RIVERS, Michigan
JIM NUSSLE, Iowa BENNIE G. THOMPSON, Mississippi
PETER HOEKSTRA, Michigan DAVID MINGE, Minnesota
GEORGE P. RADANOVICH, California KEN BENTSEN, Texas
CHARLES F. BASS, New Hampshire JIM DAVIS, Florida
GIL GUTKNECHT, Minnesota ROBERT A. WEYGAND, Rhode Island
VAN HILLEARY, Tennessee EVA M. CLAYTON, North Carolina
JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina
JOSEPH PITTS, Pennsylvania EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
JOE KNOLLENBERG, Michigan GERALD D. KLECZKA, Wisconsin
MAC THORNBERRY, Texas BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
JIM RYUN, Kansas JAMES P. MORAN, Virginia
MAC COLLINS, Georgia DARLENE HOOLEY, Oregon
ZACH WAMP, Tennessee KEN LUCAS, Kentucky
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin RUSH D. HOLT, New Jersey
ERNIE FLETCHER, Kentucky JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL III,
GARY MILLER, California Pennsylvania
PAUL RYAN, Wisconsin TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
PAT TOOMEY, Pennsylvania
Professional Staff
Wayne T. Struble, Staff Director
Thomas S. Kahn, Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
Committee on the Budget,
Washington, DC, January 2, 2001.
Hon. Jeff Trandahl,
Clerk of the House, U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Trandahl: Pursuant to Clause 1(d) of House Rule
XI, I am pleased to transmit a report on the activities of the
Committee on the Budget during the 106th Congress.
Sincerely,
John R. Kasich, Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Letter of Transmittal............................................ III
Summary of Committee Activities:
Jurisdiction and Functions of the Committee.................. 1
Activities in the 106th Congress............................. 1
Hearings and Business Meetings of the Committee.................. 3
Legislative History of Measures on Which Action Was Taken........ 11
Bills Referred to the Committee.................................. 17
Printed Committee Publications:
Reports...................................................... 34
Committee Prints............................................. 34
Budget Committee Majority Publication List................... 34
Budget Committee Minority Publication List................... 35
Union Calendar No. 617
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 106-1055
======================================================================
ACTIVITIES AND SUMMARY REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET DURING THE
106TH CONGRESS
_______
January 2, 2001.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Kasich of Ohio, from the Committee on the Budget, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
Summary of Committee Activities
Jurisdiction and Functions of the Committee
The Committee on the Budget was established by the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. The committee has been
responsible for developing and reporting the annual
congressional budget resolution, for assembling and reporting
any reconciliation legislation required by that resolution, and
working on the congressional budget process. In the 105th
Congress, its jurisdiction was expanded to include budget
process, generally.
The main purpose of the budget resolution is to provide an
overall framework and plan for congressional action on spending
and revenue legislation. It sets ceilings on total budget
authority and outlays and a floor on total revenues. It also
allocates spending authority to the appropriations committees
and among the various authorizing committees of the House and
Senate that have jurisdiction over direct spending programs.
The limits and allocations set by the budget resolution are
enforced through points of order in the House and Senate.
The budget reconciliation process is used when changes in
entitlement or tax law are needed to implement the plan set out
in the budget resolution. The process begins with the inclusion
of ``reconciliation instructions'' in the budget resolution.
These instructions direct the appropriate authorizing
committees to report legislation revising programs under their
jurisdiction to change projected spending by specified amounts.
They may also direct the tax-writing committees to report
legislation revising tax law to change revenues by specified
amounts.
In response to reconciliation instructions, the various
committees report their legislative recommendations to the
Budget Committee. The Budget Committee then assembles the
legislation into an omnibus legislative package--without making
any substantive revisions-for consideration by the House. The
Budget Committee not only has jurisdiction over budget
resolutions and reconciliation bills, it has legislative
jurisdiction over major elements of the budget process and
various statutory controls over the Federal budget.
When the House of Representatives adopted Rules for the
104th Congress (H. Res. 6) on January 5, 1995, the Budget
Committee achieved for the first time legislative jurisdiction
over major elements of the congressional budget process and
various statutory controls over the Federal budget. The
relevant section of clause 1(d) reads as follows:
(1) * * * Other measures setting forth appropriate
levels of budget totals for the United States
Government.
(2) Measures relating to the congressional budget
process, generally.
(3) Measures relating to the establishment,
extension, and enforcement of special controls over the
Federal budget including the budgetary treatment of
off-budget Federal agencies and measures providing
exemption from reduction under any order issued under
part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
The addition to subparagraph (d)(2) gave the Budget
Committee substantive jurisdiction over any statement providing
for a balanced budget required under the proposed amendment to
the U.S. Constitution. The amendment, which had been approved
by the House during the 104th Congress but failed in the
Senate, envisioned a legislative vehicle other than the
concurrent budget resolution that wouldbe sent to the
President.
Subparagraph (d)(3) gave the Budget Committee primary
jurisdiction over budget terminology and the discretionary
spending limits. The Budget Committee would have shared
jurisdiction over such other elements of the congressional
budget process. Essentially, the Budget Committee would have
exclusive jurisdiction over both budgetary levels and budgetary
concepts and secondary jurisdiction over purely procedural
aspects of the congressional budget process. In fact, the
Budget Committee would have shared jurisdiction over the
establishment, extension, and enforcement of mandatory and
discretionary spending limits, PAYGO requirements, and other
special budgetary mechanisms to control spending, the deficit,
or the Federal budgets. Jurisdiction over the sequestration
process also migrated from the Government Reform and Oversight
Committee to the Budget Committee.
The Rules for the 104th Congress recognized that the
Government Reform and Oversight Committee would retain, for the
duration of the 104th Congress, jurisdiction over certain
budget process already in the legislative pipeline, most
notably the rescission process, performance budgeting,
regulatory budgets, and capital budgeting. In adopting the
Rules of the House of Representatives for the 105th Congress
(H. Res. 5) on January 7, 1997, the Budget Committee extended
its legislative jurisdiction even further to cover not only the
congressional budget process but all budget process in general.
The pertinent section of clause 1(d) was changed to read as
follows:
(3) Measures relating to the budget process,
generally.
To also reflect this expansion of the Budget Committee's
legislative jurisdiction over budget process measures that were
retained under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Government
Reform and Oversight, the pertinent section of clause 1(g)
outlining the Government Reform and Oversight Committee's
jurisdiction was changed from
(4) Budget and accounting measures, generally.
to read as follows:
(4) Government management and accounting measures,
generally.
In addition to its legislative duties, the Budget Committee
continues to have responsibilities for oversight and studies.
These responsibilities include oversight of the Congressional
Budget Office; study of the outlay effects of existing and
proposed legislation; study of off-budget entities; study of
tax expenditures; and study of proposals to improve and
facilitate the congressional budget process.
Organizational Meeting
On January 20, 1999, the Committee on the Budget met to
consider matters related to the organization of the Committee
for the 106th Congress. The Committee approved the revisions to
the Committee Rules for the 106th Congress to conform them to
the House Rules. The Committee also approved an Oversight Plan.
In addition, the Committee approved a Task Force on Social
Security composed of nine members with Representative Nick
Smith (R-MI) as Chairman.
Director of the Congressional Budget Office
On February 3, 1999, Dr. Dan Crippen was recommended by the
Committee on the Budget to the Speaker of the House for the
position of Director of the Congressional Budget Office. He was
subsequently so appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
FISCAL YEAR 2000 BUDGET CYCLE
Budget resolution
The congressional budget cycle commenced on March 17, 1999,
with the markup of the Fiscal Year 2000 Concurrent Resolution
on the Budget. Out of 32 amendments offered, only 10 were
adopted: a sense of the Congress offered by Mr. Thompson
relating to changes in the tax law to encourage asset building
by low-income workers and their families; a sense of Congress
offered by Messieurs Weygand, Fletcher and Ryun regarding the
importance of home health care for senior and disabled
citizens; a sense of Congress offered by Mr. Weygand regarding
the committees' effort to provide resources for honor guards at
veterans' funerals; sense of Congress offered by Mr. Clement
regarding $3 million for the Commission on International
Religious Liberty; sense of Congress offered by Mr. Minge
regarding Medicare + Choice program; an amendment offered by
Mr. Minge that would exclude Social Security transactions from
statements and other documents on the surplus and the deficit
totals; an amendment offered by Mr. Markey to require the
Congressional Budget Office to prepare quarterly estimates of
receipts, outlays, and the surplus or deficit; amendment
offered by Mr. Markey to substitute ``quarterly'' for
``monthly'' in the previous amendment; sense of Congress
offered by Mr. Hoekstra regarding the consolidation of funds
for federal education programs for the classroom; and sense of
Congress offered by Mrs. Clayton and Mr. Collins regarding
welfare-to-work report from the Secretary of Labor.
The report accompanying House Concurrent Resolution 68,
House Report 106-73, was filed on March 23, 1999.
The Rules Committee reported a rule (H. Res. 131/H. Rept.
106-77) providing for the consideration of House Concurrent
Resolution 68 on March 24, 1999. The rule made in order an
amendment printed in the accompanying report, House Report 106-
77, as original text, provided 3 hours of general debate,
points of order were waived against consideration of the
concurrent resolution for failure to comply with clause 4(a) of
rule XIII, the measure was considered read, and specified
amendments were in order.
House Resolution 131 was considered by the House on March
25, 1999, and approved by a vote of 228 to 194. House
Concurrent Resolution 68 was called up for consideration that
same day. Three substitutes were defeated by rollcall votes.
The House approved the bill, as amended by the rule and by an
amendment making technical changes and adding a sense of
Congress offered by Mr. Kasich regarding child nutrition,
increase defense outlays in FY 2000 by $2 billion, and
requiring CBO to consult with Social Security trustees, by 221
to 208.
The House agreed to a unanimous consent request by Mr.
Kasich to disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a
conference on April 12, 1999.
The conferees met on April 13, 1999. Senator Domenici was
elected chairman of the conference committee. The conference
report was filed in the House on April 14, 1999 (H. Rept. 106-
91). In the rule providing for the consideration of the
conference report (H. Res. 137), the House agreed to the
conference report on April 14, 1999.
Reconciliation
Section 105 of House Concurrent Resolution 68 set forth
reconciliation instructions for the Committee on Ways and Means
to propose changes in laws within its jurisdiction necessary to
reducerevenues through 2009. The deadline for the committee's
submission was July 16, 1999.
The Committee on Ways and Means ordered reported H.R. 2488
on July 14, 1999. The report accompanying H.R. 2488, House
Report 106-238, was filed on July 16, 1999.
The Committee on Rules reported a rule providing for
consideration of H.R. 2488 on July 21, 1999 (H. Res. 256/H.
Rept. 106-246). The rule provided for two hours of general
debate, considered the previous question as ordered without
intervening motions except a motion to recommit with or without
instructions, considered the motion read, specified amendments
in order, and provided for consideration of the amendment in
the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Rangel or his
designee printed in Part B of H. Rept. 106-246, which was
debatable for one hour.
The rule, House Resolution 256, was approved 219 to 208 on
July 22, 1999. H.R. 2488 was called up on July 22, 1999 and
amendments were considered. An amendment offered by the
Committee on Rules modified by the amendments printed in
section 3 of H. Res. 256, as amended, was agreed to without
objection.
An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr.
Rangel sought to provide $250 billion in tax cuts over 10
years, but restricted the reductions until legislation was
enacted to ensure the solvency of Medicare and Social Security,
failed by 173 to 258. A motion to recommit with instructions
failed by 211 to 220. The bill was approved on July 22, 1999 by
223 to 208.
Mr. Archer asked unanimous consent that the House disagree
to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference on August 2,
1999, which was approved. Mr. Rangel offered a motion to
instruct conferees that failed by a recorded vote of 205 to
213.
The conferees met on August 2, 1999. Mr. Archer was
appointed chairman of the conference. The conference report was
filed in the House on August 4, 1999 (H. Rept. 106-289). On
August 5, 1999, H. Res. 274 was approved by the House, which
provided the Rule for consideration of the conference report to
H.R. 2488 with 1 hour of general debate. Mr. Archer brought up
conference report H. Rept. 106-289 for consideration under the
provisions of H. Res. 274 on August 5, 1999. The previous
question was ordered without objection. The previous question
on the motion to recommit with instructions to the conference
committee was ordered without objection on August 5, 1999. The
Senate agreed to the conference report on August 5, 1999.
The bill was presented to the President on September 15,
1999 and was vetoed on September 23, 1999 (House Document 106-
130).
On September 23, 1999, Mr. Archer moved to refer the bill
and accompanying veto message to the Committee on Ways and
Means. Mr. Cardin moved that the House discharge the Committee
on Ways and Means from further consideration of H.R. 2488 on
October 19, 1999. Mr. Terry moved to table the motion, which
was agreed to by a recorded vote of 215 to 203, on October 19,
1999. The motion to reconsider laid on the table was agreed to
without objection.
Budget resolution
The Committee marked up the Concurrent Resolution on the
Budget for fiscal year 2001 on March 15, 2000. The committee
approved a second degree perfecting amendment offered by Mr.
Chambliss in the form of a sense of the House relating to the
elimination of waste, fraud and abuse; an amendment offered by
Ms. Baldwin as amended by a second degree perfecting amendment
offered by Representatives Fletcher, Ryan and Green relating to
increased funding for Functions 550 and 570 for uninsured
children eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP and for Medicaid
treatment for women diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer; an
amendment offered by Mr. McDermott relating to the reserve
within the aggregate revenue levels; an amendment offered by
Mr. Holt, modified by unanimous consent, to increase funding
for Function 250 for the National Science Foundation. Mr. Smith
offered a second-degree perfecting amendment to Mr. Holt's
amendment but subsequently withdrew the second degree
amendment. The committee also approved an amendment increasing
funding for Function 550 to reflect support for a program for
Alzheimer's patients. Mr. Clement offered an amendment to
increase funding in Function 700 for veterans programs, but
withdrew his amendment. The committee approved an amendment
offered by Ms. Rivers that was amended by an amendment offered
by Mr. Bass. The amendment was a sense of Congress relating to
educating children with disabilities. The committee approved an
amendment offered by Mr. Kasich to increase Function 250 and
including language offered by Mr. Smith relating to the
National Science Foundation. The committee agreed to an
amendment by Mr. Moran, as revised by unanimous consent,
relating to the participation of Federal employees in the
Thrift Savings Plan. The committee approved a sense of Congress
amendment relating to Individual Development Accounts for low-
income workers and their families, offered by Mr. Thompson; a
sense of Congress amendment relating to school-based health
programs offered by Mr. Bentsen; a sense of Congress amendment
by Mr. Clement as amended by a second degree perfecting
amendment offered by Mr. Nussle relating to biennial budgeting
in the context of comprehensive budget process reform. Ms.
Hooley offered language relating to funding levels for Pacific
Northwest salmon recovery and salmon restoration organizations
which was accepted by the committee. Mr. Ryan offered a second
degree perfecting amendment to modify language offered as an
amendment by Mr. Minge expressing the sense of Congress
relating to Medicare+Choice. The committee agreed to language
offered by Mr. Bensten relating to funding for the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Mr. Markey offered an amendment increasing
funding in Function 550 for long term care improvement and
later withdrew his amendment. Mr. Minge offered a sense of
Congress amendment relating the process for funding emergencies
and later withdrew the amendment. The committee agreed to a
sense of Congress amendment offered by Mr. Nussle and Mr. Minge
regarding a definition of emergencies in the Comprehensive
Budget Process Reform Act of 1999. A sense of Congress
amendment offered by Mr. Minge as modified by unanimous consent
was agreed to that related to the Medicare Payment Advisory
Commission. Therefore, out of 33 amendments, the committee
defeated 16 amendments, 3 were withdrawn, 5 were perfected with
second degree amendments, and 3 were revised by unanimous
consent requests. The committee agreed to the budget
resolution, as amended, by a rollcall vote of 23 to 18.
The report accompanying House Concurrent Resolution 290,
House Report 106-530, was filed on March 20, 2000.
The Committee on Rules ordered reported H. Res. 446. The
rule provided for consideration of H. Con. Res. 290 with 3
hours of general debate and made in order the amendment in the
nature of a substitute printed in Part A of H. Rept. 106-535 as
an original concurrent resolution for the purpose of amendment.
The rule also made in order five amendments in the nature of a
substitute, printed in Part B of H. Rept. 106-535, offered by
Representatives Owens, DeFazio, Stenholm, Sununu and Spratt,
each debatable for 40 minutes and waived all points of order
against the amendments except that if an amendment in the
nature of a substitute is adopted, it is not in order to
consider further substitutes.
The House approved H. Res. 446 on March 23, 2000. The House
resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the
state of the Union and H. Con. Res. 290 was called up for
consideration on March 23, 2000. The House rejected substitutes
offered by Mr. Owens by a vote of 70 to 348; Mr. DeFazio by 61
to 351; Mr. Stenholm by 171 to 243; Mr. Sununu by 78 to 339;
and Mr. Spratt by 184 to 233. The budget resolution was
approved by the House by a vote of 211 to 207 on March 24,
2000.
On April 10, 2000, Mr. Kasich moved that the House disagree
to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference. The motion
was agreed to by voice vote.
The conference met on April 11, 2000. Mr. Kasich was
appointed chairman of the conference committee. The conference
report, H. Rept. 106-577, was filed on April 12, 2000. That
same day, the Rules Committee reported H. Res. 474 that
provided for consideration of the conference report to H.Con.
Res. 290 with one hour of general debate and points of order against
the conference report and its consideration waived. The rule was
approved on April 13, 2000 and the House approved the conference report
by a vote of 220 to 208.
President's budget
H. Res. 467 was introduced and subsequently considered on
the House floor without being reported by any committee. The
legislation expressed the sense of the House of Representatives
that the tax and user fee increases proposed by the Clinton/
Gore administration in their fiscal year 2001 budget should be
adopted. It was sponsored by Representative Lee Terry. It
failed to be approved by the House under suspension of the
rules (\2/3\ majority required) on April 11, 2000 with 1 voting
aye, 420 voting nay, and 2 voting Present.
Reconciliation
Section 103 of House Concurrent Resolution 290 set forth
reconciliation instructions for the Committee on Ways and Means
to report two bills to propose changes in laws within its
jurisdiction necessary to reduce revenues. The deadline for
reporting these bills was July 14, 2000 and September 13, 2000.
The Concurrent Resolution also set forth reconciliation
instructions for the Committee on Ways and Means to report two
bills to reduce the public debt. The deadline for the
committee's submission was July 14, 2000 and September 13,
2000. Section 213(c) also provided that the Chairman of the
Committee on the Budget had the discretion to direct the
Committee on Ways and Means to report by a date certain an
additional reconciliation bill that reduced debt held by the
public.
H.R. 4601 was considered by the Committee on Ways and Means
and ordered to be reported on June 8, 2000 The report
accompanying H.R. 4601, House Report 106-673, was filed on June
12, 2000. H.R. 4601 was considered on the House floor on June
20, 2000, under suspension of the rules and was agreed to 419-5
(\2/3\ required).
H.R. 4866 was considered on the House floor on July 17,
2000, under suspension of the rules and was agreed 422-1 (\2/3\
required).
H.R. 5173 was considered by the Committee on Ways and Means
and ordered to be reported on September 18, 2000. The report
accompanying H.R. 5173 House Report 106-862 was filed on
September 18, 2000. H.R. 5173 was considered on the House floor
on September 18, 2000, under suspension of the rules and was
agreed to 381-3 (\2/3\ required).
H.R. 5203 was considered on the House floor on September
19, 2000 under suspension of the rules and agreed to 401-20
(\2/3\ required).
comprehensive budget process reform act of 2000
Following the work in the 105th Congress of the Task Force
on Budget Process Reform, Mr. Nussle and Mr. Cardin, together
with other members of the Budget and Rules Committee,
introduced H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform
Act of 1999 on February 25, 1999.
H.R. 853 amended the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 by giving the Federal budget the force of
law; requiring both the President and the Congress to budget
for emergencies; strengthening the enforcement of budgetary
controls; enhancing accountability for Federal spending;
showing unfunded liabilities for Federal insurance programs;
and reducing the bias toward higher spending. The Act would
have taken effect with the first full fiscal year starting
after enactment. A summary of the contents in each of the
titles of this bill are set forth below.
Title I--Budget with the force of law
This bill changes the current concurrent budget resolution
to a joint budget resolution, which--if signed by the
President--has the force of law. The joint resolution collapses
the 20 nonenforceable budget functions to total (aggregate)
spending and revenue levels. Further, the joint resolution
subdivides spending categories into discretionary spending
(with a distinction between defense and nondefense), mandatory
spending, and emergency spending. If, however, the President
vetoes the joint resolution, the Congress can adopt a
concurrent resolution under expedited procedures. Title I also
returns the current budget timetable for the budget resolution,
appropriations bills, and any reconciliation bills. Finally,
this title maintains the prohibition on Congress considering
spending bills (appropriations and new entitlements) and tax
bills until either a joint budget resolution or a concurrent
budget resolution is in place.
Title II--Reserve fund for emergencies
Repeal of Adjustments
H.R. 853 repeals the automatic ``emergency'' increases in
the appropriations caps, and any limits established by the
budget resolution. The provision would repeal the automatic
adjustment in discretionary caps for discretionary
``emergency'' spending and the exemption from spending
disciplines for mandatory ``emergency'' spending.
Definition of Emergency
H.R. 853 establishes an objective procedure for determining
whether an emergency exists and reserving amounts in the
budget. This provision defines an ``emergency'' as meeting both
of the following criteria: (1) It is a situation that requires
funding to address ``loss of life or property, or a threat to
national security;'' and (2) The situation is
``unanticipated''--with ``unanticipated'' defined as sudden,
urgent, unforseen, and temporary.
Reserve Fund for Emergencies
Both the Congress and the President would be required to
reserve a specified amount for emergencies in the President's
budget and the budget resolution. Funding would be contained in
two reserve funds, one for discretionary emergency spending and
a second for mandatory emergency spending. The reserve funds
would contain amounts at least equal to the 5-year historical
average of amounts provided for emergencies. H.R. 853 permits
releasing emergency funds when both of the criteria for an
``emergency'' (as described above) are met.
Controls on Extraordinary Emergencies
Title II provides for additional spending under
extraordinary emergency conditions. This provision requires
that any bill providing funds in excess of the amount in the
reserve be referred to the Committee on the Budget, which could
amend the bill to exempt some or all of the additional
emergency funding from the spending limits in the reserve fund.
Title III--Enforcement of budgetary decisions
This bill closes a loophole in budget enforcement that
exempts from budget enforcement procedures legislation that is
considered on the floor without being repeated by the
committees of jurisdiction. H.R. 853 requires all committees,
when reporting legislation, to include with each bill a
statement from the Budget Committee determining whether the
bill complies with the budget resolution. This title requires
the Committee on Rules to justify any rule that waives Budget
Act points of order. Finally, it requires CBO to provide cost
estimates for conference reports.
Title IV--Accountability for federal spending
Ten-Year Review
H.R. 853 requires committees, at the beginning of each
Congress, to submit schedules for reauthorizing all laws,
programs, or agencies in their jurisdictions, including
entitlements. This title requires that the schedules call for
reauthorization of each law, program, or agency within a 10-
year time frame.
Converting New Entitlements Into Discretionary Programs
This bill prohibits the consideration of any bill,
amendment, motion, or conference report that authorizes a new
entitlement program unless the program is limited to a period
of 10 or fewer years. It requires the Budget Committee to
justify any amount allocated in the budget resolution to an
authorizing committee to create or expand an entitlement. This
title establishes procedures to subject new entitlements to
annual appropriations. H.R. 853 also establishes a process for
holding the Appropriations Committee harmless for new
discretionary programs that are offset with reductions in
direct spending.
Ten-Year Cost Estimates
H.R. 853 permanently requires CBO to report on the 10-year
cost of legislation.
Accountability for the Debt Limit
This bill requires Congress to vote each time it increases
the limit on the public debt. Specifically, it eliminates House
Rule 23, which enabled the House to increase the debt without
having to vote on it.
Title V--Budgeting for unfunded liabilities and other long-term
obligations
Long-Term Liabilities
H.R. 853 begins the process of budgeting for the long-term
liabilities of business-related Federal insurance programs;
specifically excluding social insurance, retirement insurance,
and medical insurance programs. It ultimately requires the
Congress to budget up front for any bill increasing future
taxpayers' liabilities for Federal insurance programs by
applying risk-assumed budgeting for these obligations.
Initially, the Office of Management and Budget [OMB], the
Federal agencies administering Federal insurance programs, and
the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] would be required to
develop methods of determining taxpayers' liabilities for the
programs. After consulting with the private sector and
committees of jurisdiction, Congress and the President would be
required to display the long-term liabilities of Federal
insurance programs beside their traditional presentations of
the cash transactions of these programs. OMB and CBO would then
be required to estimate on a risk-assumed basis the costs of
bills creating or expanding Federal insurance programs. Once
methods for estimating liabilities have been sufficiently
refined, the estimates of long-term liabilities would be fully
integrated into both the President's budget submission, the
budget resolution, and all budgetary projections and cost
estimates.
This bill applies provisions to the following existing
Federal insurance programs: Bank and Thrift Deposit Insurance;
Credit Union Share Insurance; Pension Benefit Insurance;
Federal Life Insurance; Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance;
National Flood Insurance; Federal Crop Insurance; Political
Risk Insurance (the Overseas Private Investment Corporation);
Federal War-Risk Insurance; and the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program. The Federal Government's social
insurance, retirement insurance, and medical insurance programs
are exempt from these provisions.
Long-Term Budget Projections
In addition to shifting to risk-assumed budgeting for
insurance programs, this bill requires CBO and OMB to report
periodically on long-term budgetary trends. It calls for
reports to focus on both the long-term trends of major
entitlements and the impact of long-term Federal spending and
taxation on the economy, including such factors as inflation,
foreign investment, interest rates, and economic growth.
Title VI--Baselines and Byrd rule
Countering the Bias of ``Baseline Budgeting''
H.R. 853 stipulated that the following budget document must
include comparisons of proposed levels to the corresponding
levels of the prior year: the Presidents' budget submissions,
congressional budget resolutions, and CBO cost estimates be
compared with prior year spending levels. It also requires CBO
and OMB to report periodically on the reasons behind the growth
of Federal entitlement spending, including a breakdown of
factors such as the following: legislation; inflation; the
number of beneficiaries eligible for entitlement benefits; the
frequency with which expensive medical technologies are used in
medical insurance programs.
Byrd Rule Reform
This title curtails the Senate's ability to strip out of
budget reconciliation bills provisions under the so-called Byrd
Rule. Under the Byrd Rule, 40 Members of the Senate can
unilaterally strip out House provisions from a budget
reconciliation conference report if the Senate judges the
provisions to be ``incidental'' spending reductions or
``extraneous'' to the purposes of budget reconciliation. This
provision precludes the use of the Byrd Rule for provisions in
reconciliation conference reports.
Legislative History of Measures on Which Action Was Taken by the House
Committee on the Budget
H. CON. RES. 68
Sponsor--Kasich
Date Introduced--March 23, 1999
House Committee--Budget
Official Title--Establishing the congressional budget for the
United States Government for fiscal year 2000 and
setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for each of
fiscal years 2001 through 2009. March 23, 1999--House
Committee on the Budget reported an original measure.
Report No. 106-73.
March 23, 1999--Placed on Union Calendar No. 39.
March 24, 1999--Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 131
reported to the House. Rule provides for 3 hours of general
debate; waiving all points of order against consideration of
the concurrent resolution for failure to comply with clause
4(a) of rule XIII; making in order amendments.
March 25, 1999--Rule Passed House.
March 25, 1999--H. Con. Res. 68 was considered under the
provisions of rule H. Res. 131.
March 25, 1999--Resolution agreed to in House by yea-nay
vote: 221-208 (Record Vote No. 77).
March 25, 1999--Received in the Senate.
March 25, 1999--Measure laid before Senate.
March 25, 1999--Senate struck all after the enacting clause
and substituted the language of S. Con. Res. 20 as amended.
March 25, 1999--Passed Senate in lieu of S. Con. Res. 20,
amended, by yea-nay vote: 55-44 (Record Vote No. 81).
March 25, 1999--Senate insisted upon its amendment.
March 25, 1999--Senate requested a conference.
April 12, 1999--House disagreed to the Senate amendment
without objection.
April 12, 1999--House conferees instructed agreed by yea-
nay vote: 349-44 (Record Vote No. 80).
April 12, 1999--The Speaker appointed conferees: Kasich,
Chambliss, Shays, Spratt, and McDermott.
April 13, 1999--Conference held.
April 13, 1999--Conference agreed to file conference
report.
April 14, 1999--Conference report H. Rept. 106-91 filed.
April 14, 1999--Rules Committee resolution H. Res. 137
reported to House.
April 14, 1999--Rule passed House.
April 14, 1999--House agreed to conference report by yea-
nay vote: 220-208 (Record Vote No.85).
Senate agreed to conference report by yea-nay vote: 54-44
(Record Vote No. 86).
H. Con. Res. 290
Brief Title--Congressional Budget resolution
Sponsor--Kasich
Date Introduced--March 20, 2000
House Committees--Budget
Official Title--Establishing the congressional budget for the
United States Government for fiscal year 2001, revising
the congressional budget for the United States
Government for fiscal year 2000, and setting forth
appropriate budgetary levels for each of fiscal years
2002 through 2005.
March 20, 2000--The House Committee on The Budget reported
an original measure, H. Rept. 106-530, by Mr. Kasich.
March 20, 2000--Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No.
294.
March 23, 2000--Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 446
Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H. Con.
Res. 290 with 3 hours of general debate. Makes in order the
amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of H.
Rept. 106-535 as an original concurrent resolution for the
purpose of amendment. Measure will be considered read. Makes in
order five amendments in the nature of a substitute, printed in
Part B of H. Rept. 106-535, each debatable for 40 minutes.
Waives all points of order against the amendments except that
if an amendment in the nature of a substitute is adopted, it is
not in order to consider further substitutes.
March 23, 2000--Rule H. Res. 446 passed House.
March 23, 2000--Considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 446. (consideration: CR H1301-1326)
March 23, 2000--House resolved itself into the Committee of
the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res.
446 and Rule XXIII.
March 23, 2000--The Speaker designated the Honorable John
A. Boehner to act as Chairman of the Committee.
March 23, 2000--Mr. Saxton moved that the Committee rise.
March 23, 2000--On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to
by recorded vote: 245-165 (Roll no. 69).
March 23, 2000--Committee of the Whole House on the state
of the Union rises leaving H. Con. Res. 290 as unfinished
business.
March 23, 2000--Considered as unfinished business.
(consideration: CR H1330-1402)
March 23, 2000--The House resolved into Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for further
consideration.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.609 Amendment (A001) in the nature
of a substitute offered by Mr. Owens. (consideration: CR H1341-
1355) Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to target
investments for education and safety net programs for working
class families.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.609 On agreeing to the Owens
amendment (A001) Failed by recorded vote: 70-348 (Roll no. 70).
(text: CR H1341-1342)
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.610 Amendment (A002) in the nature
of a substitute offered by Mr. DeFazio. (consideration: CR
H1355-1363) Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to
reserve surpluses for debt reduction, a prescription drug
benefit, education and social services programs, and specified
tax credits.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.610 On agreeing to the DeFazio
amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 61-351 (Roll no. 71).
(text: CR H1355-1356)
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.611 Amendment (A003) in the nature
of a substitute offered by Mr. Stenholm. (consideration: CR
H1363-1374; text: CR H1364-1367) Amendment in the nature of a
substitute, as modified, sought to eliminate public debt by
2012, establish a medicare reserve fund for reform,
prescription drug benefit, and provider relief, and allocate
baseline funding for agriculture initiatives.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.611 Stenholm amendment (A003)
modified by unanimous consent. The modifications reflect the
additional mandatory budget authority contained in AIR 21.
Changes do not affect the outlay, surplus or debt totals in the
original amendment.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.611 On agreeing to the Stenholm
amendment (A003) as modified Failed by recorded vote: 171-243,
1 Present (Roll no. 72). (text as modified: CR H1368)
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.612 Amendment (A004) in the nature
of a substitute offered by Mr. Sununu. (consideration: CR
H1375-1386) Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to
provide tax relief, medicare reform including prescription drug
coverage, social security reform, and defense funding increase.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.612 On agreeing to the Sununu
amendment (A004) Failed by recorded vote: 78-339 (Roll no. 73).
(text: CR H1375-1380)
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.613 Amendment (A005) in the nature
of a substitute offered by Mr. Spratt. (consideration: CR
H1386-1400) Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to
repay the public debt by 2013, provide targeted tax cuts to
working families, and retain 100 percent of the social security
surplus.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.613 On agreeing to the Spratt
amendment (A005) Failed by recordedvote: 184-233 (Roll no. 74).
(text: CR H1386-1391)
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.614 Amendment (A006) in the nature
of a substitute offered by the Committee on Rules.
(consideration: CR H1335-1341) Amendment made in order as
original text for the purpose of amendment.
March 23, 2000--H.AMDT.614 On agreeing to the Rules
amendment (A006) Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H1335-
1341)
March 24, 2000--The House rose from the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union to report H. Con. Res.
290.
March 24, 2000--The previous question was ordered pursuant
to the rule.
March 24, 2000--The House adopted the amendment in the
nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union.
March 24, 2000--On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by
the Yeas and Nays: 211-207 (Roll no. 75).
March 24, 2000--Motion to reconsider laid on the table
Agreed to without objection.
March 27, 2000--Received in the Senate and Read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Budget.
April 7, 2000--Senate Committee on the Budget discharged by
Unanimous Consent.
April 7, 2000--Measure laid before Senate by unanimous
consent. (consideration: CR S2429-2432)
April 7, 2000--Senate struck all after the Resolving Clause
and substituted the language of S. Con. Res. 101 amended.
April 7, 2000--Resolution agreed to in Senate in lieu of S.
Con. Res. 101 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 51-45. Record
Vote Number: 79. (text: CR 4/10/2000 S2469-2481)
April 7, 2000--Senate insisted on its amendment, requested
a conference.
April 10, 2000--Mr. Kasich moved that the House disagree to
the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
April 10, 2000--On motion that the House disagree to the
Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to by voice
vote. (consideration: CR H1975-1984, H1986-1987)
April 10, 2000--Mr. Spratt moved that the House instruct
conferees.
April 10, 2000--Senate appointed conferee(s) Domenici,
Grassley, Bond, Gorton, Lautenberg, Conrad and Wyden.
April 10, 2000--Message on Senate action sent to the House.
April 10, 2000--The previous question was ordered without
objection.
April 10, 2000--On motion that the House instruct conferees
Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 198-201 (Roll no. 114).
April 10, 2000--The Speaker appointed conferees: Kasich,
Chambliss, Shays, Spratt, and Holt.
April 10, 2000--Motion to reconsider laid on the table
Agreed to without objection.
April 11, 2000--Conference held.
April 12, 2000--Conferees agreed to file conference report.
April 12, 2000--Conference report H. Rept. 106-577 filed.
(text of conference report: CR H2206-2235)
April 12, 2000--Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 474
Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the
conference report to H. Con. Res. 290 with 1 hour of general
debate. All points of order against the conference report and
against its consideration are waived. The conference report
shall be considered as read.
April 13, 2000--Rule H. Res. 474 passed House.
April 13, 2000--Mr. Kasich brought up conference report H.
Rept. 106-577 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res.
474.
April 13, 2000--Conference papers: Senate report and
manager's statement and official papers held at the desk in
Senate.
April 13, 2000--The previous question was ordered without
objection.
April 13, 2000--On agreeing to the conference report Agreed
to by the Yeas and Nays: 220-208 (Roll no. 125).
(consideration: CR H2249-2258)
April 13, 2000--Motions to reconsider laid on the table
Agreed to without objection.
April 13, 2000--Conference report considered in Senate. by
Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2674-2696)
April 13, 2000--Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-
Nay Vote. 50-48. Record Vote Number: 85.
April 13, 2000--Message on Senate action sent to the House.
H.R. 853
Brief Title--Spending Accountability Lock-box Act of 1999;
Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act of 1999.
Sponsor--Nussle
Date Introduced--February 25, 1999
House Committees--Appropriations, Budget, Rules
Official Title--To amend the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 to provide for joint resolutions on the budget, reserve
funds for emergency spending, strengthened enforcement of
budgetary decisions, increased accountability for Federal
spending, accrual budgeting for Federal insurance programs,
mitigation of the bias in the budget process toward higher
spending, modifications in paygo requirements when there is an
on-budget surplus, and for other purposes.
February 25, 1999--Referred to the Committee on the Budget,
and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Appropriations,
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.
June 17, 1999--Budget Committee consideration and mark-up
session held.
June 17, 1999--Budget Committee ordered reported by voice
vote.
June 22, 1999--Appropriations Committee consideration and
mark-up session held.
June 22, 1999--Appropriations Committee ordered reported
adversely by voice vote.
June 24, 1999--Reported adversely (amended) by the
Committee on Appropriations. H. Rept. 106-198, Part I.
August 5, 1999--Reported (amended) by the Committee on the
Budget. H. Rept. 106-198, Part II.
August 5, 1999--Reported (amended) by the Committee on
Rules. H. Rept. 106-198, Part III.
August 5, 1999--Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No.
178.
May 10, 2000--Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 499
Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 853
with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question
shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions
except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu
of the amendments recommended by the Committee on the Budget,
the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Appropriations now
printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an
original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-
minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute
consisting of the text of H.R. 4397. Measure will be considered
read. Specified amendments are in order.
May 16, 2000--Rule H. Res. 499 passed House.
May 16, 2000--Considered under the provisions of rule H.
Res. 499. (consideration: CR H3093-3145; text of measure as
reported in House: CR H3108-3116)
May 16, 2000--House resolved itself into the Committee of
the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res.
499 and Rule XXIII.
May 16, 2000--The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven
C. LaTourette to act as Chairmanof the Committee.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.708 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr.
Dreier. (consideration: CR H3116-3128; text: CR H3116-3120)
Amendment sought to add a new title which lays out a biennial
budget process.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.708 On agreeing to the Dreier
amendment (A001) Failed by recorded vote: 201-217 (Roll no.
186).
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.709 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr.
Gekas. (consideration: CR H3128-3134, H3143-3144; text: CR
H3128) Amendment sought to provide for an automatic continuing
resolution in the event that the regular appropriations process
is incomplete at the start of a new fiscal year.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.710 Amendment (A003) offered by Ms.
Jackson-Lee (TX). (consideration: CR H3134-3136, H3144; text:
CR H3134) Amendment sought to strike the requirement that
removes budget functions from the budget resolution.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.711 Amendment (A004) offered by Mr.
Tancredo. (consideration: CR H3136-3137; text: CR H3136)
Amendment requires the appropriations committee to provide a
report listing all appropriations contained in a bill not
currently authorized along with the date of the last time an
authorization for a given appropriation did occur.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.711 On agreeing to the Tancredo
amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.712 Amendment (A005) offered by Mr.
Ryan (WI). (consideration: CR H3137-3141, H3143; text: CR
H3143) Amendment adds a new title outlining budget requirements
in an era of surplus.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.713 Amendment (A006) offered by Mr.
Ryan (WI). (consideration: CR H3141-3143; text: CR H3141-3142)
Amendment adds a new subtitle providing for spending
accountability lock-box. Under the amendment, amounts not spent
are directed toward reducing the debt instead of being routed
to other spending accounts.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.713 On agreeing to the Ryan (WI)
amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.712 On agreeing to the Ryan (WI)
amendment (A005) Agreed to by voice vote.
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.709 On agreeing to the Gekas amendment
(A002) Failed by recorded vote: 173-236 (Roll no. 187).
May 16, 2000--H.AMDT.710 On agreeing to the Jackson-Lee
(TX) amendment (A003) Failed by recorded vote: 188-225 (Roll
no. 188).
May 16, 2000--The House rose from the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 853.
May 16, 2000--The previous question was ordered pursuant to
the rule.
May 16, 2000--The House adopted the amendment in the nature
of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole
House on the state of the Union.
May 16, 2000--On passage Failed by recorded vote: 166-250
(Roll no. 189).
May 16, 2000--Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed
to without objection.
Bills Referred to the Budget Committee
Referrals under rule X, clause 1(e)(1)
H. Con. Res. 68, A concurrent resolution establishing the
congressional budget for the United States Government for
fiscal year 2000 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels
for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2009.
Referrals under rule X, clause 1(e) (2) and (3)
H. Res. 40, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding reduction of the public debt.
H. Res. 302, Expressing the desire of the House of
Representatives to not spend any of the budget surplus created
by Social Security receipts and to continue to retire the debt
held by the public.
H. Res. 306, Expressing the desire for the House of
Representatives to not spend any of the budget surplus created
by Social Security receipts and to continue to retire the debt
held by the public.
H. Res. 396, Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that a biennial budget process should be
enacted in the second session of the 106th Congress.
H.R. 29, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
require that the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
and the Joint Committee on Taxation utilize dynamic scoring for
provisions of bills or joint resolutions that reduce rates of
taxation.
H.R. 37, To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 to protect the Social Security trust funds.
H.R. 45, To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
H.R. 74, To provide that outlays and revenues totals of the
old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under
title II of the Social Security Act and of the related
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be
excluded from official budget pronouncements of the Office of
Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office.
H.R. 82, To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide
that the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund be
excluded from the budget of the United States Government.
H.R. 111, To provide off-budget treatment for the Airport
and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
H.R. 148, To amend title II of the Social Security Act to
allow workers who attain age 65 after 1981 and before 1992 to
choose either lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000
or an improved benefit computation formula under a new 10-year
rule governing the transition to the changes in benefit
computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of
1977, and for other purposes.
H.R. 167, To reaffirm the off-budget status of the old-age,
survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of
the Social Security Act.
H.R. 196, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to extend and clarify the pay-as-
you-go requirements regarding the Social Security trust funds.
H.R. 232, To provide for a two-year Federal budget cycle,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 244, To provide for an annual statement of accrued
liability of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Program.
H.R. 343, To protect the Social Security system and to
amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require a two-
thirds vote for legislation that changes the discretionary
spending limits or the pay-as-you-go provisions of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 if the budget
for the current year (or immediately preceding year) was not in
surplus.
H.R. 420, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require that the size of the
public debt be reduced during each fiscal year by the amount of
the net surplus in the Social Security trust funds at the end
of that fiscal year.
H.R. 437, To provide for a Chief Financial Officer in the
Executive Office of the President.
H.R. 451, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide for a sequestration of
all budgetary accounts for fiscal year 2000 (except Social
Security, Federalretirement, and interest on the debt) equal to
5 percent of the OMB baseline.
H.R. 452, To provide off-budget treatment for the receipts
and disbursements of the land and water conservation fund, and
to provide that the amount appropriated from the fund for a
fiscal year for Federal purposes may not exceed the amount
appropriated for that fiscal year for financial assistance to
the States for State purposes.
H.R. 493, To provide for a biennial budget process and a
biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and
the performance of the Federal Government.
H.R. 537, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
provide for budgeting for emergencies through the establishment
of a budget reserve account, and for other purposes.
H.R. 563, To encourage Members of Congress and the
executive branch to be honest with the public about true on-
budget circumstances, to exclude the Social Security trust
funds from the annual Federal budget baseline, to prohibit
Social Security trust fund surpluses to be used as off-sets for
tax cuts or spending increases, and to exclude the Social
Security trust funds from official budget surplus/deficit
pronouncements.
H.R. 568, To amend title II of the Social Security Act to
allow workers who attain age 65 after 1981 and before 1992 to
choose either lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000
or an improved benefit computation formula under a new 10-year
rule governing the transition to the changes in benefit
computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of
1977, and for other purposes.
H.R. 633, To provide for investment in broad-based private
equities indices of amounts held in trust for payment of
benefits from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust
Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal
Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Department of Defense
Military Retirement Fund, the Civil Service Retirement and
Disability Fund, and the Railroad Retirement Account, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 656, To guarantee honesty in budgeting.
H.R. 685, To amend title II of the Social Security Act to
ensure that the receipts and disbursements of the Social
Security trust funds are not included in a unified Federal
budget.
H.R. 815, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
provide for the designation of renewal communities, to provide
tax incentives relating to such communities, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 832, To restore veterans tobacco-related illness
benefits as in effect before the enactment of the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
H.R. 853, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
provide for joint resolutions on the budget, reserve funds for
emergency spending, strengthened enforcement of budgetary
decisions, increased accountability for Federal spending,
accrual budgeting for Federal insurance programs, mitigation of
the bias in the budget process toward higher spending,
modifications in paygo requirements when there is an on-budget
surplus, and for other purposes.
H.R. 863, To require appropriate off-budget treatment of
Social Security in official budget pronouncements.
H.R. 921, To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide
emergency market loss assistance to swine producers for losses
incurred due to economic and market conditions in the United
States beyond their control that occurred during a three-month
period in 1998, and for other purposes.
H.R. 948, To amend chapter 31 of title 31, United States
Code, to establish lower statutory limits for debt held by the
public for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2009, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 1000, To amend title 49, United States Code, to
reauthorize programs of the Federal Aviation Administration,
and for other purposes.
H.R. 1016, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to allow the projected on-budget
surplus for any fiscal year to be used for tax cuts.
H.R. 1017, To provide for budgetary reform by requiring a
balanced Federal budget and the repayment of the national debt.
H.R. 1050, To establish a living wage, jobs for all policy
by instituting overall planning to develop those living wage
job opportunities essential to fulfillment of basic rights and
responsibilities in a healthy democratic society; by
facilitating conversion from unneeded military programs to
civilian activities that meet important human needs; by
producing a Federal capital budget through appropriate
distinctions between operating and investment outlays; and by
reducing poverty, violence, and the undue concentration of
income, wealth, and power, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1059, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to extend the pay-as-you-go
requirements.
H.R. 1157, To require appropriate off-budget treatment of
Social Security in official budget pronouncements.
H.R. 1259, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
protect Social Security surpluses through strengthened
budgetary enforcement mechanisms.
H.R. 1316, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
reduce employer and employee Social Security taxes to the
extent there is a Federal budget surplus.
H.R. 1452, To create United States money in the form of
noninterest bearing credit in accordance with the 1st and 5th
clauses of section 8 of Article I of the Constitution of the
United States, to provide for noninterest bearing loans of the
money so created to State and local governments solely for the
purpose of funding capital projects.
H.R. 1470, To reduce corporate welfare and promote
corporate responsibility.
H.R. 1803, To preserve and protect the surpluses of the
Social Security trust funds by reaffirming the exclusion of
receipts and disbursement from the budget, by setting a limit
on the debt held by the public, and by amending the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a process to reduce
the limit on the debt held by the public.
H.R. 1822, To establish an emergency loan guarantee program
for steel and iron ore companies.
H.R. 1927, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
preserve all budget surpluses until legislation is enacted
significantly extending the solvency of the Social Security and
Medicare trust funds.
H.R. 2039, To restore actuarial balance to the Social
Security trust funds.
H.R. 2203, To eliminate corporate welfare.
H.R. 2222, To establish fair market value pricing of
Federal natural assets, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2293, To reform the budget process.
H.R. 2350, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
repeal taxes on American Values.
H.R. 2426, To require truth-in-budgeting with respect to
the on-budget trust funds.
H.R. 2568, To provide partial compensation to farm owners
and producers for the loss of markets for the 1999 crop of
commodities covered by production flexibility contracts under
the Agricultural Market Transition Act.
H.R. 2716, To provide supplemental market loss payments for
farm owners and producers for certain 1999 crops.
H.R. 2743, To improve the financial situation of America's
farmers and ranchers.
H.R. 2796, To amend chapter 11 of title 31, United States
Code, to establish a Debt Reduction Lockbox, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 2843, To provide emergency assistance to farmers and
ranchers in the United States.
H.R. 2985, To provide for a biennial budget process and a
biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and
the responsibility, efficiency, and performance of the Federal
Government.
H.R. 3012, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to protect Social Security trust
funds and save Social Security surpluses for Social Security.
H.R. 3085, To provide discretionary spending offsets for
fiscal year 2000.
H.R. 3165, To protect and provide resources for the Social
Security system, to reserve surpluses to protect, strengthen
and modernize the Medicare Program, and for other purposes.
H.R. 3175, To amend chapter 31 of title 31, United States
Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce the
debt held by the public in fiscal year 2000 by up to the amount
of surplus in the Social Security trust funds, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 3206, To amend title II of the Social Security Act and
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide prospectively for
personalized retirement security through personal retirement
savings accounts to allow for more control by individuals over
their Social Security retirement income, to amend such title
and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985 to protect Social Security surpluses, and to provide other
reforms relating to benefits under such title II.
H.R. 3221, To review, reform, and terminate unnecessary and
inequitable Federal payments, benefits, services, and tax
advantages.
H.R. 3245, To establish a fund to meet the outdoor
conservation and recreation needs of the American people, to
provide Outer Continental Shelf impact assistance to State and
local governments, to amend the Land and Water Conservation
Fund Act of 1965, the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of
1978, and the Act popularly known as the Federal Aid in
Wildlife Restoration Act, and for other purposes.
H.R. 3303, To provide for the establishment of the Natural
Disaster Insurance Solvency Fund to ensure adequate private
insurance reserves in the event of catastrophic natural
disasters.
H.R. 3442, To amend the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited
consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget
authority.
H.R. 3448, To improve the management of environmental
information and to encourage innovation in the pursuit of
enhanced environmental quality, and for other purposes.
H.R. 3523, To amend the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for expedited
rescissions of budget authority and of limited tax benefits.
H.R. 3564, To amend chapter 11 of title 31, United States
Code, to include projected 3 percent cuts in the budget of each
department or agency of the Government within the President's
annual budget submission.
H.R. 3566, To provide off-budget treatment for the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
H.R. 3586, To provide for a biennial budget process and a
biennial appropriations process and to enhance oversight and
the responsibility, efficiency, and performance of the Federal
Government.
H.R. 3640, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act
to take the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under the
Medicare Program off budget.
H.R. 3859, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses through
strengthened budgetary enforcement mechanisms.
H.R. 4144, To provide for the allocation of interest
accruing to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 4195, To protect Social Security and provide for
repayment of the Federal debt.
H.R. 4397, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
provide for joint resolutions on the budget, reserve funds for
emergency spending, strengthened enforcement of budgetary
decisions, increased accountability for Federal spending,
accrual budgeting for Federal insurance programs, mitigation of
the bias in the budget process toward higher spending, and for
other purposes. (On May 10, 2000, pursuant to H. Res. 499, an
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text
of H.R. 4397 was considered as an original bill for H.R. 853.)
H.R. 4505, To require the Secretary of the Treasury to
retire publicly held debt each fiscal year, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 4601, To provide for reconciliation pursuant to
section 213(c) of the concurrent resolution on the budget for
fiscal year 2001 to reduce the public debt and to decrease the
statutory limit on the public debt.
H.R. 4626, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
allow individuals to designate that up to 10 percent of their
income tax liability be used to reduce the national debt, and
to require spending reductions equal to the amounts so
designated.
H.R. 4694, To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require that the size of the
public debt be reduced during each fiscal year by the amount of
the net surplus in the Social Security and Medicare trust funds
at the end of that fiscal year.
H.R. 4698, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
authorize and direct the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office to prepare estimates of the impact of proposed Federal
agency rules affecting the private sector.
H.R. 4852, To protect the budget of the Federal courts.
H.R. 4866, To provide for reconciliation pursuant to
section 103(b)(1) of the concurrent resolution on the budget
for fiscal year 2001 to reduce the public debt and to decrease
the statutory limit on the public debt.
H.R. 5173, To provide for reconciliation pursuant to
sections 103(b)(2) and 213(b)(2)(C) of the concurrent
resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2001 to reduce the
public debt and to decrease the statutory limit on the public
debt.
H.R. 5203, To provide for reconciliation pursuant to
sections 103(a)(2), 103(b)(2), and 213(b)(2)(C) of the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2001 to
reduce the public debt and to decrease the statutory limit on
the public debt, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to provide for retirement security.
H.R. 5233, To establish the National Commission on Budget
Concepts.
H.R. 5256, To prevent the premature shutdown of certain FHA
mortgage insurance programs.
H.R. 5296, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act
to revise and improve the Medicare Program.
H.R. 5405, To amend title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 to provide emergency protection for
retiree health benefits.
H.R. 5447, To amend the Social Security Act to prepare the
Social Security Administration for the needs of the 21st
century, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5542, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
provide tax relief.
H.R. 5580, To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to
provide that, in the House of Representatives, appropriations
to reduce the public debt are covered by budget allocations and
to amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow en
bloc offsetting amendments to appropriation bills to reduce
spending and to reduce the public debt.
S. 1877, An original bill to amend the Federal Report
Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995.
Summary of Oversight Plan for the 106th Congress
The following is a summary of the Oversight Plan submitted
by the Committee on the Budget for the 106th Congress adopted
on January 20, 1999:
To fulfill its responsibility to develop an annual
concurrent budget resolution, the committee will hold hearings,
and receive testimony from Members of Congress, Cabinet-level
and other Federal officials, State and local officials, and
expert witnesses to review the President's budget submissions
and other alternatives to programs and activities.
The committee will review the activities of the
Congressional Budget Office. The committee will submit to the
Speaker the recommendation of a replacement to fill the
position of Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
The committee will study proposals designed to improve the
congressional budget process and build on the work of the
committee's Task Force on Budget Process in the 105th Congress.
The committee will coordinate its oversight activities with
other committees, including, but not limited to, considering
other committee's Views and Estimates when developing the
annual concurrent budget resolution.
The committee will study provisions of law which exempt
Federal agencies or any of their activities or outlays from
inclusion in the Budget of the United States Government, and
make recommendations for terminating or modifying such
provisions.
The committee will study the effect of existing and
proposed legislation, as well as government regulation, on
government spending.
The committee will request and evaluate continuing studies
of tax incentives and direct spending by the Federal
Government, and whether they are the most appropriate and
efficient means to achieve specified public policy goals.
The committee will study monetary policy and its effect on
the Federal budget.
Summary of Oversight Actions Taken During the First Session of the
106th Congress
Full Committee Activities
While developing the concurrent resolution for fiscal year
2000, the Committee held hearings in which they received
testimony from the director of the Office of Management and
Budget and from the Congressional Budget Office Director. In
addition, the Committee conducted a series of hearings on the
President's defense plan for fiscal year 2000. The Committee
heard from Defense Department officials and other experts in
the field. (A complete list of Committee hearings held during
the 106th Congress is included in this report.)
Following up on the work of the Budget Committee's Task
Force on Budget Process in the 105th Congress, the Committee
held hearings on H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process
Reform Act of 1999. Witnesses included several members of
Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the former
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the President of
the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and the
Executive Director from the Center on Budget and Policy
Priorities.
In June, the Committee held hearings on Corporate Welfare/
Unnecessary Business Subsidies. During these hearing, the
Committee elicited testimony from members of Congress and
representatives of organizations such as Citizens Against
Government Waste, the Cato Institute, Citizens for Tax Justice,
Taxpayers for Common Sense, and Americans for Tax Reform. The
Committee also received written testimony submissions.
In addition, the Committee held hearings on ``Fixing Our
Schools From the Bottom Up: State, Local, and Private Reform
Initiatives.'' During these hearings, the witnesses included
the Honorable Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida; the
Honorable Richard Riley, Secretary of the Department of
Education; Senator Voinovich of Ohio; Pennsylvania State
Legislator Dwight Evans; and Virginia Markell, President of the
National PTA. The Committee also heard from the Co-Chairman of
the Children's Scholarship Fund together with the Director of
and recipients' relatives of the Washington Scholarship Fund.
Further, written testimony was submitted from the Co-Chairman &
CEO of the Children's Scholarship Fund.
Activities of the Task Force on Social Security
The Committee also reviewed the current state of Social
Security and studied proposals for reform. On January 20, 1999,
pursuant to a unanimous consent request, the Committee
authorized the Task Force on Social Security. Representative
Nick Smith was appointed chairman and Representative Lynn
Rivers was the ranking minority member. The Task Force held a
series of briefings and hearings and heard from several
witnesses.
The first hearing was held on March 2nd. This hearing
focused on the state of Social Security and included testimony
from Steve Goss from the Social Security Administration and
Representative Smith, chairman of the Task Force.
The next hearing was on March 16th on the effect of
investing Social Security monies in the capital markets. The
Task Force heard testimony from Lawrence Summers, Deputy
Treasury Secretary.
Another hearing took place on March 23rd regarding the need
for comprehensive structural reform to Social Security. Alan
Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve testified at this
hearing.
On April 13th, the Task Force held a hearing on how
advances in health sciences and increased life-expectancy will
affect Social Security. The witnesses included Dr. William
Haseltine from Human Genome Sciences, Dr. Kenneth Manton from
Duke University Center for Demographic Studies, and Felicity
Bell and Steve Goss, both from the Social Security
Administration.
The Task Force then held a hearing on April 27th centering
on the administrative costs of privatization. At that hearing,
the witnesses included William Shipman, Principal, State Street
Global Advisors and Dallas Salisbury, President, Employee
Benefits Research Institute.
Another hearing was held on May 4th which highlighted how
uniformity treats diversity. The Task Force heard testimony
from Larry Kotilikoff, Professor of Economics at Boston
University; Darcy Olsen, Entitlements Analyst at the Cato
Institute; and Kilolo Kijakazi from the Center on Budget &
Policy Priorities.
On May 11th, the Task Force conducted a hearing on using
long-term market strategies for Social Security. The witnesses
for this hearing included Dr. Roger Ibbotson, Professor of
Finance at Yale University and Dr. Gary Burtless, Senior Fellow
at the Brookings Institute.
Another hearing, directed at establishing a framework for
evaluating Social Security reform, occurred on May 18th. Dr.
Robert Reischauer of the Brookings Institute and Stepehen Entin
of the Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation
testified.
The Task Force held a hearing on May 25th concentrating on
national retirement reforms in other countries. The witnesses
included Dan Crippen, Director of CBO; David Harris, Watson
Wyatt Worlwide; and Lawrence Thompson, Senior Fellow, Urban
Institute, President-elect of the Board of Directors, National
Academy of Social Insurance.
On June 8th, the Task Force held another hearing
specializing on the Social Security Trust Fund. Ken Holt of
AARP and David Koitz of the Congressional Research Service
testified.
The topic of the June 15th hearing was Guaranteed
Investments and Life Annuities. The Task Force heard testimony
from James Glassman, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise
Institute; Steven Bodurtha, Merrill Lynch; and Mark Warshawshy,
TIAA-CREF.
On June 22nd, the Task Force held a hearing on the Social
Security Disability Program in which Jane Ross and Mark Nadel
of the Social Security Administration and Marty Ford of
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities testified.
Another hearing was held on June 29th to review the current
proposals for Social Security reform. The Task Force heard from
several members of Congress, including Senators Gregg, Breaux,
and Grassley and Representatives Archer, Shaw, Kolbe, Stenholm,
Kasich, Smith, Bartlett, and DeFazio, regarding their
proposals.
A final hearing was held on July 13th regarding the Social
Security transition costs. The Task Force heard testimony from
Dr. Rudolph Penner of the Urban Institute and David John and
William Beach of the Heritage Foundation.
The Task Force on Social Security reported eighteen
findings to the full Committee on the Budget.
Views and Estimates
In addition, the Committee coordinated its oversight
activities with other committees by drawing on the authorizing
committee's Views and Estimates of the President's Budget.
Summary of Oversight Actions Taken During the Second Session of the
106th Congress
Full Committee Activities
The Committee assessed the performance of Federal agencies
in both administration and service by reviewing performance
data in the President's budget submissions and the relevant
reports and audits of the General Accounting Office and the
Offices of the Inspector General.
The Committee continued its statutory obligation to oversee
the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) by: (1) receiving
testimony from the Director and other staff of CBO during
Committee hearings; and (2) its daily interaction with CBO to
insure that CBO fulfill its mandate to provide Congress with
budget information, data, estimates, statistics, etc. The
Committee held hearings on the President's Fiscal Year 2001
Budget. On February 8, 2000, the Committee heard testimony from
the Honorable Jacob J. Lew, Director, Office of Management and
Budget. The Committee further heard testimony from Dan Crippen,
Director, Congressional Budget Office on February 16, 2000.
The Committee studied the budgetary effect of existing laws
and proposed legislation, as well as government regulation, on
government spending, and significant staff resources were
devoted to exploring the ways of reducing waste, fraud, and
abuse in government agencies. The Committee heard testimony
from the Honorable David M. Walker, Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office on February 17, 2000 regarding
oversight of ``high-risk'' government programs.
Activities of the Committee Task Forces
On March 15, 2000, Mr. Chambliss asked unanimous consent
that the Committee on the Budget establish six oversight task
forces to operate through September 13, 2000. These Task Forces
were authorized to consider issues related to the areas of
housing and infrastructure, welfare, defense and international
affairs, education and training, health, and natural resources
and the environment. In addition, they were given authority to
hold oversight hearings and issue a report to the full
Committee on findings and any recommendations to the Committee
on the Budget. There was no objection to the unanimous consent
request.
Accordingly, on April 13, 2000 the Task Force on Housing
and Infrastructure heard testimony from Kenneth M. Mead,
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and James
E. Hall, Chairman of NTSB to discuss abuse of the NTSB
rapidraft payment system.
On May 18, 2000, the Task Force on Health held a hearing on
Medicare's regulatory burden on providers. They heard testimony
from Dr. Joe Sam Robinson, Jr., M.D., the Neurological
Institute of Central Georgia, P.A.; and Kathleen G. Murray,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
On May 24, 2000, the Task Force on Education held a hearing
entitled ``Education Department Fails Accounting 101.'' Edward
P. Moore, President, Edelman Financial Services, Inc.; Daniel
J. Murrin, Partner, Ernst and Young; Gloria L. Jarmon,
Director, Civil Audits, GAO; Lorraine Lewis, Inspector General,
Department of Education; and Gary T. Engel, Associate Director,
Government wide Audits, GAO, testified.
The Task Force on Natural Resources and Environment held a
hearing on management failures as the national parks. They
heard testimony from Barry T. Hill, Associate Director, Energy,
Resources and Science Issues, GAO; Maureen Finnerty, Associate
Director, Operations and Education, National Park Service; and
Kevin R. Garden, Partner, Salton and Smith Attorneys at Law.
The Task Force on Housing and Urban Development heard
testimony from Raymond A. Carolan, Special Agent in Charge, New
England District, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development; Emil J. Schuster, Special
Agent in Charge, Southeast/Caribbean District, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development; Saul Ramirez, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development; Shelia Crowley, President,
National Low Income Housing Coalition, on May 25, 2000 with
regard to the lack of income verification in HUD assisted
housing.
On June 8, 2000, the full Committee held a hearing entitled
``the Corporate Welfare Reform Commission Act.'' The Committee
heard testimony from Representative Edward R. Royce; Jill
Lancelot, Co-Founder, Taxpayers for Common Sense; Steven Moore,
Adjunct Fellow, The CATO Institute; Thomas A. Schatz,
President, Citizens Against Government Waste; Peter Sperry,
Federal Budgetary Affairs Fellow, The Heritage Foundation; and
Representative Robert Andrews.
The Task Force on Housing and Infrastructure held a hearing
on the government's failure in disposing of obsolete ships on
June 9, 2000. The following witnesses testified: Thomas J.
Howard, Deputy Asst. Inspector General, Department of
Transportation; V. ADM. James E. Amerault, Deputy Chief of
Naval Operations (Logistics); and John E. Graykowski, Deputy
Administrator, Maritime Administration.
On June 14, 2000, the Education and Training Task Force
held a hearing on ``Smothering Education Reform: How Washington
Stifles Innovation.'' They heard from the Honorable Tim
Hutchinson, Senator, State of Arkansas; the Honorable Eugene
Hickok, Secretary of Education, State of Pennsylvania; and Dr.
Susan Sclafani, Chief of Staff for Education Services, Houston
Independent School District.
The Health Task Force held a hearing on Medicare's
regulatory burden on providers on June 14, 2000. Dr. Robert
Berenson, Director, Center for Health Plans and Providers,
Health Care Financing Administration; and Robert Charrow, Esq.,
Former Principal Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, both testified.
On June 22, 2000, the Defense and Foreign Relations Task
Force held a hearing on the inefficiencies in DOD's health care
claims processing. The witnesses included H. James T. Sears,
M.D., Executive Director, TRICARE Management; Stephen P.
Backhus, Director, V.A. and Military Health Care, GAO; and
William J. Meyer, Senior VP of TRICARE, BlueCross/BlueShield
South Carolina.
On July 12, 2000, the Task Force on Health Hearing held a
hearing related to measuring fraud, payment errors in Medicare
and Medicaid. The witnesses included Gloria L. Jarmon, Director
of Civil Audits, GAO; William D. Hamel, Special Agent, GAO;
Penny Thompson, Director, Program Integrity, HCFA; Robb Miller,
Inspector General, Department of Public Aid, State of Illinois.
On July 12, 2000 the Task Force Natural Resources and the
Environment Hearing held a hearing on the Department of Energy
management practices. The witnesses included Ms. Carolyn L.
Huntoon, Asst. Secretary for Environmental Management, DOE;
Brig. General Thomas F. Gioconda, USAF, Deputy Administrator
for Defense Programs, Nuclear Security Administration, DOE; Ms.
Gary L. Jones, Associate Director for Energy, Resources, and
Science Issues, GAO.
On July 19, 2000, The Task Force on Health held a hearing
on ``Food Stamp Fraud: Why Trafficking Persists and What Can Be
Done About It.'' The witnesses included Roger C. Viadero, USDA
Inspector General; Larry Dyckman, Director of Food and
Agricultural Issues General Accounting Office; Shirley R.
Watkins, Undersecretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services, USDA; Darrell Hartman, Director of Special
Operations, Office of Inspector General, Texas Department of
Human Services.
On July 19, 2000, The Task Force on Natural Resources and
the Environment held a hearing on ``Fire Safety Failures of the
Park Service: Caretaker of the Nation's Natural Treasures
Inability to Address Hazards.'' The witnesses included Jim
Wells, Director of Energy, Resources, and Science, GAO; Maureen
Finnerty, Assoc. Director of Park Operations, National Park
Service, Department of the Interior.
On July 20, 2000, The Task Force on Defense and Foreign
Relations held a hearing on ``Pentagon Financial Management:
What's Broken, How to Fix It.'' The witnesses included: William
J. Lyon III, Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller and Chief
Financial Officer; Robert Lieberman, Assistant Inspector
General, DOD; Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, Acting Assistant
Comptroller General, GAO.
On July 25, 2000, The Task Force on Housing and
Infrastructure held a hearing on the ``Economic Implications of
Debt Held by Government-Sponsored Enterprises.'' The witnesses
included Barbara Miles, Domestic Policy Division, CRS; Thomas
J. McCool, Director of Financial Institutions and Markets
Issues, General Accounting Office; William Apgar, Assistant
Secretary for Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development; Armando Falcon
Jr., Director, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight;
Bert Ely, Independent Consultant.
On September 12, 2000, the Task Force on Welcare held a
hearing on ``Federal Disability Benefits Still Being Paid To
Drug Addicts and Alcoholics.'' The witnesses included: James G.
Huse, Jr., Inspector General, Social Security Administration;
Steven L. Schaeffer Assistant Inspector General for Audit
Social Security Administration; Ken Nibali, Associate
Commissioner for Disability.
On September 13, 2000, the Task Force on Natural Resources
and the Environment held a hearing on ``Controlling Wildfires
in the Future: What Strategies and Resources Are Needed?'' The
witnesses included Barry T. Hill, Assistant Director of Energy,
Resources, and Science Issues; General Accounting Office;
Randle G. Phillips, Deputy Chief for Programs and Legislation,
US Forest Service; Robert H. Nelson, Professor of Environmental
Policy, University of Maryland and Senior Fellow, Competitive
Enterprise Institute.
House Budget Committee
1999 HEARINGS--FIRST SESSION
Date Title Witnesses
2/03/99........... ``The President's The Honorable Jacob Lew,
Budget Submission for Director, Office of
Fiscal Year 2000.'' Management and Budget.
3/04/99........... ``The President's Congressional Budget
Budget Submission for Office, Director, Dan
Fiscal Year 2000.'' Crippen.
3/11/99........... ``The President's Panel I: John J. Hamre,
Defense Plan for Deputy Secretary of
Fiscal Year 2000: Defense; William J. Lynn
Shipshape or Treading III, Under Secretary of
Water.'' Defense, Comptroller.
Panel II: Lawrence J.
Korb, Ph.D., VP/Maurice R.
Greenberg Chair, Director
of Studies, Council on
Foreign Relations; Andrew
F. Krepinevich, Ph.D.,
Executive Director, Center
for Strategic and Budget
Assessments; Robert B.
Zoellick, President and
CEO, Center for Strategic
and International Studies.
5/20/99........... Hearing on H.R. 853, Panel I: Honorable Jim
the Comprehensive Nussle (R-IA); Honorable
Budget Process Reform Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD);
Act of 1999. Honorable David Minge (D-
MN). Panel II: Honorable
Jacob J. Lew, Director,
Office of Management and
Budget. Panel III: Dan
Crippen, Director (CBO);
Rudolph G. Penner, Former
Director, CBO; Carol Cox
Wait, President, Committee
for a Responsible Federal
Budget; Robert Greenstein,
Executive Director, Center
on Budget and Policy
Priorities.
6/30/99........... Hearing on Corporate Panel I: Ralph Nader. Panel
Welfare/Unnecessary II: Honorable Dan Miller
Business Subsidies. (R-FL); Honorable Edward
Royce (R-CA); Honorable
John Shaddegg (R-AZ).
Panel III: Honorable David
Minge (D-MN); Honorable
Joseph Hoeffel (D-PA);
Honorable Robert Shamansky
(D-OH), former Member of
Congress, 1980-1982. Panel
IV: Thomas Schatz,
Citizens Against
Government Waste; Steve
Moore, Cato Institute;
Robert McIntyre, Citizens
for Tax Justice; Jill
Lancelot, Taxpayers for
Common Sense; Grover
Norquist, Americans for
Tax Reform. Written
testimony submissions: T.
J. Rogers, CEO and
President, Cypress;
Semiconductor Corporation;
Peter Sperry and Steven
Haskins; Janice C.
Shields, Ph.D.,
Coordinator, Corporate
Welfare Project, Institute
for Business Research, and
James M. Sheehan, Director
of International
Environment Policy,
Competitive Enterprise
Institute.
9/23/99........... ``Fixing Our Schools Panel I: Honorable Jeb
From the Bottom Up: Bush, Governor of the
State, Local, and State of Florida. Panel
Private Reform II: Honorable Richard
Initiatives.'' Riley, Secretary,
Department of Education.
Panel III: Honorable
George Voinovich, United
States Senator from Ohio;
Honorable Dwight Evans,
Pennsylvania State
Legislator; Virginia
Markell, President of the
National PTA. Panel IV:
John T. Walton, Co-
Chairman of the Children's
Scholarship Fund; Patrick
Purtill, Executive
Director, Washington
Scholarship Fund; Vermont
White, Mother of
Washington Scholarship
Fund Recipients; Rose
Blassingame, Grandmother
of Washington Scholarship
Fund Recipients. Submitted
Testimony: Theodore J.
Forstmann, Senior Partner,
Forstmann Little & Co., Co-
Chairman & CEO, The
Children's Scholarship
Fund.
TASK FORCE ON SOCIAL SECURITY
3/02/99........... The state of Social Steve Goss, Chief Deputy
Security. Actuary, Social Security
Administration.
3/16/99........... Effect of investing Honorable Nick Smith (R-
Social Security monies MI); Lawrence Summers,
in the capital markets. Deputy Treasury Secretary.
3/23/99........... The need for Alan Greenspan, Chairman,
comprehensive Federal Reserve.
structural reform to
Social Security.
4/13/99........... How will advances in Dr. William Haseltine,
health sciences and Human Genome Sciences; Dr.
increased life- Kenneth Manton, Duke
expectancy affect University Center for
Social Security. Demographic Studies;
Felicity Bell and Steve
Goss, Social Security
Administration.
4/27/99........... Administrative costs of William Shipman, Principal,
privatization. State Street Global
Advisors; Dallas
Salisbury, President,
Employee Benefits Research
Institute.
5/04/99........... How uniformity treats Larry Kotlikoff, Professor
diversity. of Economics, Boston
University; Darcy Olsen,
Entitlements Analyst, Cato
Institute; Kilolo
Kijakazi, Center on Budget
& Policy Priorities.
5/11/99........... Using long-term market Dr. Roger Ibbotson,
strategies for Social Professor of Finance, Yale
Security. University; Dr. Gary
Burtless, Senior Fellow,
Brookings Institute.
5/18/99........... Establishing a Dr. Robert Reischauer,
framework for Brookings Institute,
evaluating Social Stephen Entin, Institute
Security reform. for Research on the
Economics of Taxation.
5/25/99........... National retirement Dan Crippen, Director of
reforms in other CBO; David Harris, Watson
countries. Wyatt Worldwide; Lawrence
Thompson, Senior Fellow,
Urban Institute, President-
elect of the Board of
Directors, National
Academy of Social
Insurance.
6/08/99........... The Social Security Ken Holt, AARP; David
Trust Fund. Koitz, Congressional
Research Service.
6/15/99........... Guaranteed Investments James Glassman, Resident
and Life Annuities. Scholar, American
Enterprise Institute;
Steven Bodurtha, Merrill
Lynch; Mark Warshawshy,
TIAA-CREF.
6/22/99........... The Social Security Jane Ross and Mark Nadel,
Disability Program. Social Security
Administration; Marty
Ford, Consortium for
Citizens with
Disabilities.
6/29/99........... Review of Current Senators Gregg, Breaux,
Proposals. Grassley; Representatives
Archer, Shaw;
Representatives Kolbe,
Stenholm; Representative
Kasich; Representative
Smith; Representative
Bartlett; Representative
DeFazio.
7/13/99........... Social Security Dr. Rudolph Penner, The
Transition Costs. Urban Institute; David
John and William Beach,
The Heritage Foundation.
2000 HEARINGS--SECOND SESSION
Date Title Witnesses
2/08/00........... The President's Fiscal The Honorable Jacob J. Lew,
Year 2001 Budget. Director, Office of
Management and Budget.
2/16/00........... The President's Fiscal Dan Crippen, Director,
Year 2001 Budget. Congressional Budget
Office.
2/17/00........... Oversight of ``High- The Honorable David M.
Risk'' Government Walker, Comptroller
Programs. General, General
Accounting Office.
3/02/00........... Members Day Hearing.... Members of Congress.
3/15/00........... Mark-up of Fiscal Year
2001 Budget.
4/13/00........... Task Force on Housing Kenneth M. Mead, Inspector
and Infrastructure General of the Department
Hearing: ``Abuse of of Transportation; James
the NTSB Rapidraft E. Hall, Chairman of the
Payment System.'' NTSB.
5/18/00........... Task Force on Health Dr. Joe Sam Robinson, Jr.,
Hearing: ``Medicare's M.D., The Neurological
Regulatory Burden on Institute of Central
Providers.'' Georgia, P.A.; Kathleen G.
Murray, Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer,
Northwestern Memorial
Hospital, Chicago,
Illinois.
5/24/00........... Task Force on Natural Barry T. Hill, Associate
Resources and Director, Energy,
Environment Hearing: Resources and Science
``Management Failures Issues, GAO; Maureen
at the National Finnerty, Associate
Parks.'' Director, Operations and
Education, National Park
Service; Kevin R. Garden,
Partner, Salton and Smith
Attorneys at Law.
5/24/00........... Task Force on Education Edward P. Moore, President,
Hearing: ``Education Edelman Financial
Department Fails Services, Inc.; Daniel J.
Accounting 101.'' Murrin, Partner, Ernst and
Young; Gloria L. Jarmon,
Director, Civil Audits,
GAO; Lorraine Lewis,
Inspector General,
Department of Education;
Gary T. Engel, Associate
Director, Governmentwide
Audits, GAO.
5/25/00........... Task Force on Housing Raymond A. Carolan, Special
and Urban Development Agent in Charge, New
Hearing: ``Lack of England District, Office
Income Verification in of Inspector General, U.S.
HUD Assisted Department of Housing and
Housing.'' Urban Development; Emil J.
Schuster, Special Agent in
Charge, Southeast/
Caribbean District, Office
of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Housing and
Urban Development; Saul
Ramirez, Deputy Secretary,
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development;
Shelia Crowley, President,
National Low Income
Housing Coalition.
6/08/00........... Full Committee Hearing: Representative Edward R.
``The Corporate Royce; Jill Lancelot, Co-
Welfare Reform Founder, Taxpayers for
Commission Act.'' Common Sense; Steven
Moore, Adjunct Fellow, The
CATO Institute; Thomas A.
Schatz, President,
Citizens Against
Government Waste; Peter
Sperry, Federal Budgetary
Affairs Fellow, The
Heritage Foundation;
Representative Robert
Andrews.
6/09/00........... Task Force on Housing Thomas J. Howard, Deputy
and Infrastructure Asst. Inspector General,
Hearing: Department of
``Government's Failure Transportation; V. ADM.
In Disposing of James E. Amerault, Deputy
Obsolete Ships.'' Chief of Naval Operations
(Logistics); John E.
Graykowski, Deputy
Administrator, Maritime
Administration.
6/14/00........... Task Force on Education The Honorable Tim
and Training Hearing: Hutchinson, Senator, State
``Smothering Education of Arkansas; The Honorable
Reform: How Washington Eugene Hickok, Secretary
Stifles Innovation.'' of Education, State of
Pennsylvania; Dr. Susan
Sclafani, Chief of Staff
for Education Services,
Houston Independent School
District.
6/14/00........... Task Force on Health Dr. Robert Berenson,
Hearing: ``Medicare's Director, Center for
Regulatory Burden on Health Plans and
Providers.'' Providers, Health Care
Financing Administration;
Robert Charrow, Esq.,
Former Principal Deputy
General Counsel, U.S.
Department of Health and
Human Services.
6/22/00........... Task Force on Defense H. James T. Sears, M.D.,
and Foreign Relations Executive Director,
Hearing: TRICARE Management;
``Inefficiencies in Stephen P. Backhus,
DOD's Health Care Director, V.A. and
Claims Processing.'' Military Health Care, GAO;
William J. Meyer, Senior
VP of TRICARE, BlueCross/
BlueShield South Carolina.
7/12/00........... Task Force on Health Gloria L. Jarmon, Director
Hearing: ``Blowing of Civil Audits, GAO;
Smoke on the Invisible William D. Hamel, Special
Man: Measuring Fraud, Agent, GAO; Penny
Payment Errors in Thompson, Director,
Medicare and Program Integrity, HCFA;
Medicaid.'' Robb Miller, Inspector
General, Department of
Public Aid, State of
Illinois.
7/12/00........... Task Force on Natural Ms. Carolyn L. Huntoon,
Resources and the Asst. Secretary for
Environment Hearing. Environmental Management,
``Department of Energy DOE; Brig. General Thomas
Management F. Gioconda, USAF, Deputy
Practices.'' Administrator for Defense
Programs, Nuclear Security
Administration, DOE; Ms.
Gary L. Jones, Associate
Director for Energy,
Resources, and Science
Issues, GAO.
7/19/00........... The Task Force on Roger C. Viadero, USDA
Health held a hearing Inspector General; Larry
on ``Food Stamp Fraud: Dyckman, Director of Food
Why Trafficking and Agricultural Issues,
Persists and What Can General Accounting Office;
Be Done About It.'' Shirley R. Watkins,
Undersecretary of Food,
Nutrition, and Consumer
Services, USDA; Darrell
Hartman, Director of
Special Operations, Office
of Inspector General,
Texas Department of Human
Services.
7/19/00........... The Task Force on Jim Wells, Director of
Natural Resources and Energy, Resources, and
the Environment held a Science, GAO; Maureen
hearing on ``Fire Finnerty, Associate
Safety Failures of the Director of Park
Park Service: Operations, National Park
Caretaker of the Service, Department of the
Nation's Natural Interior.
Treasures Inability to
Address Hazards.''
7/20/00........... The Task Force on William J. Lyon III, Under
Defense and Foreign Secretary of Defense,
Relations held a Comptroller and Chief
hearing on ``Pentagon Financial Officer; Robert
Financial Management: Lieberman, Assistant
What's Broken, How to Inspector General, DOD;
Fix It.'' Jeffrey C. Steinhoff,
Acting Assistant
Comptroller General, GAO.
7/25/00........... The Task Force on Barbara Miles, Domestic
Housing and Policy Division, CRS;
Infrastructure held a Thomas J. McCool, Director
hearing on the of Financial Institutions
``Economic and Markets Issues,
Implications of Debt General Accounting Office;
Held by Government- William Apgar, Assistant
Sponsored Secretary for Housing/
Enterprises.'' Federal Housing
Commissioner, U.S.
Department of Housing and
Urban Development; Armando
Falcon, Jr., Director,
Office of Federal Housing
Enterprise Oversight; Bert
Ely, Independent
Consultant.
9/12/00........... Task Force on Welfare James G. Huse, Jr.,
held a hearing on Inspector General, Social
``Federal Disability Security Administration;
Benefits Still Being Steven L. Schaeffer,
Paid To Drug Addicts Assistant Inspector
and Alcoholics.'' General for Audit, Social
Security Administration;
Ken Nibali Associate
Commissioner for
Disability.
9/13/00........... Task Force on Natural Barry T. Hill, Assistant
Resources and the Director of Energy,
Environment held a Resources, and Science
hearing on Issues, General Accounting
``Controlling Office; Randle G.
Wildfires in the Phillips, Deputy Chief for
Future: What Programs and Legislation,
Strategies and U.S. Forest Service;
Resources are Robert H. Nelson,
Needed?'' Professor of Environmental
Policy, University of
Maryland and Senior
Fellow, Competitive
Enterprise Institute.
GAO Reports Requested by the Chairman
The following is a list of General Accounting Office (GAO)
reports issued at the request of the chairman of the Budget
Committee during the 106th Congress. This list does not include
the further utilization of GAO resources and services in
studying government spending, such as requests for reports that
are still pending or requests for information on a less formal
or more timely basis.
Budget Issues: Budget Enforcement Compliance Report (Letter
Report, 05/31/2000, GAO/AIMD-00-174).
Food Assistance: Efforts to Control Fraud and Abuse in the
Child Adult Care Food Program Should Be Strengthened (RCED-00-
12).
Future Years Defense Program: Funding Increase and Planned
Savings in Fiscal Year 2000 Program Are at Risk (NSIAD-00-11).
Food Stamp Program: How States Are Using Federal Waivers of
the Work Requirement (RCED-00-5).
Budget Issues: Comparison of Discretionary Outlays Under
Alternative Spending Paths (AIMD-99-303R).
Department of Energy: Fiscal Year 1998 Obligations for
Fossil Energy Programs (RCED-99-284R).
Food Assistance: Efforts To Control Fraud and Abuse in the
WIC Program Can Be Strengthened (RCED-99-224).
Rural Utilities Service: Status of Electric Loan Portfolio
(AIMD-99-264R).
FAA Financial Management: Further Actions Needed to Achieve
Asset Accountability (AIMD-99-212).
Land Management: The Forest Service's and BLM's
Organizational Structures and Responsibilities (RCED-99-227).
Aviation Competition: Information on the Department of
Transportation's Proposed (RCED-99-225).
Commitments by the European Union and the United States to
Reduce Agricultural Export Subsidies (NSIAD-99-198R).
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Analysis of Budgets, Fiscal
Years 1999-2000 (RCED-99-201R).
Financial Management: Briefing on the Federal Aviation
Administration Property, Plant, and Equipment Accountability
Review (AIMD-99-208R).
Farm Service Agency: Characteristics of Small County
Offices (RCED-99-162).
Financial Management: Bureau of Reclamation Sources and
Uses of Funds (AIMD-99-200R).
Renewable Energy: DOE's Funding and Markets for Wind Energy
and Solar Cell Technologies (RCED-99-130).
Adults With Severe Disabilities: Federal and State
Approaches for Personal Care and Other Services (HEHS-99-101).
Nuclear Waste: DOE's Accelerated Cleanup Strategy Has
Benefits but Faces Uncertainties (RCED-99-129).
Budget Issues: Budgetary Implications of Selected GAO Work
for Fiscal Year 2000 (OCG-99-26).
Defense Acquisitions: DOD Efforts to Develop Laser Weapons
for Theater Defense (NSIAD-99-50).
Economic Development: Observations Regarding the Economic
Development Administration's May 1998 Final Report on Its
Public Works Program (RCED-99-11R).
Financial Management: Briefing on the Federal Aviation
Administration's Inventory Accountability (AIMD-99-98R).
Defense Infrastructure: Funding Risks in Services' 1999
Central Training Programs (NSIAD-99-56).
Financial Management: Forest Service's Efforts to Achieve
Financial Accountability (AIMD-99-68R).
U.S. Airports: Selected Airports' Views on Federal
Requirements (RCED-99-58R).
Credit Reform: Key Credit Agencies Had Difficulty Making
Reasonable Loan Program Cost Estimates (AIMD-99-31).
Federal Power: PMA Rate Impacts, by Service Area (RCED-99-
55).
Surface Infrastructure: High-Speed Rail Projects in the
United States (RCED-99-44).
Forest Service Alternative Financing: NRE Options (CCAR#
98-00396-01).
Testimony--Western National Forests: A Cohesive Strategy Is
Needed To Address Catastrophic Wildfire Threats (CCAR# 00-1531-
01).
Potential Irregularities In Renovations To National
Transportation Safety Board Executive Offices at L'Enfant Plaza
(CCAR# 00-1679-01).
Security Holders and Lost Property (CCAR# 00-1693-01).
Study of Market Mechanisms In Federal Student Loan Programs
(CCAR# 98-1891-01).
Review of National Transportation Safety Board Internal
Control and Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations
(CCAR# 00-1101-01).
Student Loan Program Financing (CCAR# 00-1137-01).
Financing of the Direct Student Loan Program (CCAR# 00-
1137-02).
Department of Defense Practices Regarding the Reopening and
Adjustment of Closed Appropriation Accounts and Budgetary
Implications of Such Practices (CCAR# 00-1175-01).
Cost of Department of Defense Environmental Cleanup and
Disposal: Training Ranges--Long Term Budgetary Implications
(CCAR# 00-1175-01).
Review of Estimated Cleanup Costs Associated with
Department of Defense Training Ranges (CCAR# 00-1175-02).
Study to Uncover the Best Practices In E-Government At The
State and Local Levels and In The Private Sector (CCAR# 00-
1514-01).
Department of Defense Implementation of Recommendations
Concerning Contractor Debt Deferments (CCAR# 00-1648-01).
Office of Management and Budget/Congressional Budget Office
Compliance With Budget Enforcement Act Requirements of Section
254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985. (CCAR# 00-1677-01).
Analyze How Department of Health and Human Services
Transmits Information to Medicare Practitioners and Assess What
Improvements Are Needed (CCAR# 01-0149-01).
Printed Committee Publications
REPORTS
Report of the Task Force on Social Security.
COMMITTEE PRINTS
CP-4--Compilation of Laws and Rules Relating to the
Congressional Budget Process, May 2000.
BUDGET COMMITTEE MAJORITY PUBLICATION LIST
Basics of the Budget Process: A Briefing Paper (20 January
1999). This document provides a summary and background on the
various components of budget process enforcement.
Discretionary Spending Caps: Background and History (20
January 1999). This document provides a summary and background
of the discretionary spending caps, their history and role in
budget enforcement.
The Lame Duck Budget: The Clinton Budget For Fiscal Year
2000. Summary and Critique by the House Committee on the Budget
Majority Caucus (11 February 1999).
Chairman's Mark: For The Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution
(17 March 1999). This document provided summary and background
information on the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution. 1111.
Securing the Future: Framework For The Republican Budget
For Fiscal Year 2000 (17 March 1999).
The President's Medicare Proposals: Description and
Critique (November 1999).
Background and Overview of the Social Security Program.
(July 2000) This document provided background and summary
information about the Social Security program and its
relationship to the overall Federal budget.
The Medicare Program: Background on the Federal
Government's Health Coverage for Seniors and Disabled Persons
(July 2000).
The Problems Facing Medicare: Near-Term and Long-Term
Financing Issues (July 2000).
The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of
Medicare (July 2000).
``Reviving the Reform Agenda, The Urgent Need To Address
Government Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and Mismanagement.'' A report
by the House Committee on the Budget Majority Caucus. February
2000.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Education. This memorandum summarizes
the activities of the Task Force on Education, and the findings
and recommendations of the Task Force Majority Members. The
Task Force conducted hearings concerning the Department of
Education's inability to maintain adequate financial records,
and its stifling effect on State and local education reform.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Defense. This memorandum summarizes the
activities of the Task Force on Defense and the findings and
recommendations of the Task Force Majority Members.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Healthcare. This memorandum summarizes
the activities of the Task Force on Healthcare, and the
findings and recommendations of the Task Force Majority
Members.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Welfare. This memorandum summarizes the
activities of the Task Force on Welfare, and the findings and
recommendations of the Task Force Majority Members.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Natural Resources and the Environment.
This memorandum summarizes the activities of the Task Force on
Natural Resources and Environment and the findings and
recommendations of the Task Force Majority Members.
Memorandum to John R. Kasich, Budget Committee Chairman
from the Task Force on Housing and Infrastructure. This
memorandum summarizes the activities of the Task Force on
Housing and Infrastructure, and the findings and
recommendations of the Task Force Majority Members.
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINORITY PUBLICATION LIST
These publications were made available to the public by the
Democratic caucus of the Budget Committee during the 106th
Congress but were not officially adopted by the Committee and
therefore may not reflect the views of all members.
1. Preliminary Summary and Analysis of President Clinton's
Budget for Fiscal Year 2000--(Short Summary), 1 February 1999.
2. A Summary of President Clinton's Fiscal Year 2000
Budget--(Long Summary), 4 February 1999.
3. Frequently Asked Questions About the Federal Budget, 17
February 1999.
4. Summary and Analysis of the House Republican Budget
Resolution for Fiscal Year 2000, 22 March 1999.
5. Tax Cuts First, Social Security and Medicare Last:
Overview of the Conference Agreement on the Republican Budget
Resolution, 14 April 1999.
6. Summary of the Conference Agreement on the Republican
Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2000, 15 April 1999.
7. Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Bill of 1999:
Descriptions and Concerns, 12 May 1999.
8. Dear Colleague Letter in Opposition to H.R. 853, the
Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act, 19 May 1999.
9. Dear Colleague Letter in Support of the Spratt/Obey/
Sabo/Kasich/Young Amendment to H.R. 1000, the Aviation
Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, (AIR-21), 15
June 1999.
10. CBO Agrees: Democrats Save More Surplus--(Comparison of
the House Republican budget resolution with the Democratic
budget alternative), 16 June 1999.
11. Summary and Analysis of the President's Mid-Session
Budget Review, 29 June 1999.
12. How Solid Is the Surplus? 16 July 1999.
14. The Tax Cut Spends the Social Security Surplus, 21 July
1999.
15. Frequently Asked Questions About the Federal Budget--
(First Update), 28 July 1999.
16. New CBO Estimate Shows That Congress Is Already
Spending $18 Billion of the Social Security Surplus, 30
September 1999.
17. CBO: Social Security Surplus Already Spent, October
1999.
18. Democratic Views on the Social Security Task Force of
the House Budget Committee--(Short Summary), 7 October 1999.
19. Minority Views on the Social Security Task Force of the
House Budget Committee--(Long Summary), 7 October 1999.
20. Dear Colleague Letter Addressing Some Common Questions
About Across-the-Board Cuts in Appropriations Bills, 22 October
1999.
21. Across-the-Board Spending Cuts Hurt Key Programs and
Don't Save the Surplus, 28 October 1999.
22. Highlights of the Final Budget Agreement for Fiscal
Year, 2000, 24 November 1999.
23. Congressional Action on Spending and Taxes for Fiscal
Year 2000: A Summary and Analysis, 17 December 1999.
24. Analysis of New CBO Surplus Estimates, 27 January 2000.
25. Frequently Asked Questions About the Federal Budget--
(Second Update), 1 February 2000.
26. Preliminary Summary and Analysis of President Clinton's
Budget for Fiscal Year 2001--(Short Summary), 7 February 2000.
27. The President's Tax Proposals--10 February 2000.
28. Summary of President Clinton's Fiscal Year 2001
Budget--(Long Summary), 22 February 2000.
29. Freezing Appropriations Is Not Realistic, 1 March 2000.
30. What History Teaches Us About Appropriations, 3 March
2000.
31. Why Congress Needs To Use a Realistic Appropriations
Baseline: The Issue of ``One-Time'' Costs, 6 March 2000.
32. A Summary and Analysis of the House Republican Budget
Resolution for Fiscal Year 2001, 20 March 2000.
33. Dear Colleague Letter Addressing Supplemental
Appropriations Bill Which Breaks the Spending Levels in the
Budget Resolution, 30 March 2000.
34. Fiscal Year 2001 House Budget Resolution Floor Sheets,
31 March 2000.
35. Talking Points for the Conference Agreement on the
Budget Resolution, 13 April 2000.
36. The Republican Budget Resolution: Conference
Agreement--(Short Summary), 13 April 2000.
37. A Summary and Analysis of the Conference Agreement on
the Republican Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2001--(Long
Summary), 4 May 2000.
38. Vote No on Budget Process Bill, 10 May 2000.
39. Vote No on Biennial Budgeting Process--(Dear Colleague
Letter Opposing an Amendment to the Comprehensive Budget
Process Reform Bill, H.R. 853, Which Calls for the Government
to Switch From Annual to Biennial Budgeting), 11 May 2000.
40. Vote No on the ``Statutory Budget Bill'' and the
``Biennial Budgeting'' Amendment--(Dear Colleague Letter
Opposing H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform
Bill, and the Joint Resolution and Biennial Budgeting
Amendments), 15 May 2000.
41. Problems With the Appropriations ``Lockbox''
Amendment--(Fact Sheet on the Appropriations Lock-Box Amendment
to H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Bill), 16
May 2000.
42. Problems With the Automatic Continuing Resolution
Amendment--(Fact Sheet on the Automatic Continuing Resolution
Amendment to H.R. 853, the Comprehensive Budget Process Reform
Bill), 16 May 2000.
43. Let the Budget Gimmicks Begin, 27 June 2000.
44. President Clinton's Revised Budget for Fiscal Year
2001--(Summary), 28 June 2000.
45. The Budget Gimmicks Continue: Part 2, 19 July 2000.
46. Deficits Turn to Surpluses--A Democratic Success, 1
August 2000.
47. Appropriations Break the Limits, 7 September 2000.
48. Frequently Asked Questions About the Federal Budget--
(Third Update), 15 September 2000.
49. $240 Billion in Debt Reduction: A Number Without a
Plan, 19 September 2000.
50. Summaries of Democratic Views on Waste Fraud and Abuse
for the Following Task Forces: (1) Welfare; (2) Defense; (3)
Education and Training; (4) Health; (5) Natural Resources and
the Environment; and (6) Housing and Infrastructure, 20
September 2000.
51. Timing Shifts: Using Gimmicks to Meet Budget Targets--
(The Saga of Timing Shifts in Appropriations Bills), 28
September 2000.
52. ``Spending Floodgates Open on the Hill'', 29 September
2000.
53. The Saga of Timing Shifts in Appropriations Bills
Reveals Fundamental Flaws in the ``90/10 Plan'', 2 October
2000.
54. Appropriations Break the Limits: Update, 4 October
2000.
55. The ``90/10'' Plan'': An Empty Promise to Reduce Debt,
5 October 2000.
56. Spratt Calls GOP Reports ``Recycled Findings''--
(Evaluation of Republican Task Force Findings on Waste, Fraud,
and Abuse), 5 October 2000.
57. Appropriations Scorecard: Congress Spends More Than
Clinton, Nine for Twelve * * * and Counting, 30 October 2000.
58. Dear Colleague Letter on Reforms to the Food Stamp
Program in the Fiscal Year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations
Bill, 31 October 2000.
59. Congress Continues to Break Appropriations Limits, 31
October 2000.