They say the worst time to go to the gym is in the first two weeks of January. The holiday season begins with Black Friday, named after retailers move towards profitable black inks. Similarly, the fitness season has seen a surge in gyms’ profitable memberships from December 26th to mid-January. Approximately 40% of Americans have New Year’s resolutions, with almost half focusing on weight loss or fitness. However, most people abandoned their targets by mid-January, and their goodwill faded as quickly as they appeared, emptying the gym.
In 1974, Congress passed its own New Year’s resolution. Fiscal discipline was achieved through budgetary management and water storage laws. Like the enthusiastic gymnasts, they started strong, passing all 12 budget bills on time in that first year. But like those who abandon the gym, Congress has only made this success three times over the next 50 years. It’s slightly better than the 6% solution that sticks it out. For the past 27 years, Congress has been unable to meet budget deadlines and has relied on an ongoing resolution to avoid its own laws on a daily basis and continue to run the government.
The Democratic Congress passed the 1974 law, refusing Republican President Nixon to fund the useless project. Around the same time, Democrats introduced the Bird Rule, named after Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd. Now, the rules allow Democrat-appointed senators to derail conservative priorities in budget settlements, cut spending and derail Republican efforts to promote taxpayer-friendly policies. (Related: Unelected Formula Throws Wet Blankets on Trump’s Bill – Send GOP SENS Scramble)
Before 1974, federal funding was ad hoc. The council allocated money when the program was created and funding was replenished as needed. The 1974 Act sets new standards and required Congress to pass 12 spending bills each year by the start of the fiscal year. This was their voluntary financial fitness plan and was entirely within their control. For more than 50 years, Congress has tweaked the law and added chamber-specific rules for administering litigation, but these changes have not resolved the issue.
Solutions often denounce the busyness of life for abandoning their goals. Congress uses similar excuses to argue campaigns, hearings, and demands that hinder timely budgetary demands. But who will set their schedule? The council itself. Congress can adjust its approach so that struggling gym people may switch to walking or eating healthy. Instead, they rely on ongoing resolutions, avoiding the discipline necessary for financial responsibility.
This week, Congress is facing another voluntary deadline, juggling the budget adjustment bill, 12 spending bills and an increase in debt caps that it missed last January. The House and Senate follow a variety of rules and complicate cooperation. Senators can attack clauses that have carefully negotiated the House, highlighting the house’s disconnection. For most Americans, this process is unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic entanglement.
The strict structure of the Budget Control Act and restrictions on Byrd rules are the main reasons why Congress cannot pass budgets within the deadline. The tight deadlines on the law will overwhelm lawmakers, and Bird Rules will block conservative policies and stall progress. Voters, post-election elections, demand assembly will stick to fiscal resolutions or create a better system. Solutions exist: spread workloads, split them into smaller parts, and stagger budget invoices to streamline the process of transparency. These changes could potentially indicate exactly where their money is going.
The Congress has no responsibility other than itself. Financial fitness, like physical fitness, requires discipline. They need to prioritize spending cuts, eliminate waste and protect taxpayer dollars. Bolstered programs reimbursements and eligibility reforms could fund priorities such as border security and infrastructure. The 1974 law was intended to achieve fiscal discipline, but it is a barrier to the bird rule of its flaws and sabotage of its goals. Congress can reform these rules if they choose. Not taking action means more broken promises and government limping in line with temporary amendments. It’s time for Congress to take responsibility, overhaul the budget process and provide what is worthy of Financial Fitness America.
Keith Self represents Texas’ Third Congressional District and is chair of the European House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.
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