[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 280 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 280
To ensure effective control over the Congressional budget process.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2013
Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Chambliss, and Mr. Vitter)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Budget
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure effective control over the Congressional budget process.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Budget Reform Act
of 2013''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I--JOINT BUDGET RESOLUTION
Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. Timetable.
Sec. 103. Joint resolution on the budget.
Sec. 104. Budget required before spending bills may be considered.
Sec. 105. Amendments to joint resolutions on the budget.
Sec. 106. Continuing appropriations.
TITLE II--BIENNIAL BUDGET
Sec. 201. Effective date.
Sec. 202. Revision of timetable.
Sec. 203. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974.
Sec. 204. Amendments to Rules of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 205. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriation
Acts.
Sec. 206. Multiyear authorizations.
Sec. 207. Government strategic and performance plans on a biennial
basis.
Sec. 208. Biennial appropriation bills.
Sec. 209. Assistance by Federal agencies to standing committees of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
TITLE I--JOINT BUDGET RESOLUTION
SEC. 101. PURPOSES.
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 are amended to read as follows:
``(1) to assure effective control over the budgetary
process; and
``(2) to facilitate the determination of the appropriate
level of Federal revenues and expenditures by the Congress and
the President;''.
SEC. 102. TIMETABLE.
Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to
read as follows:
``timetable
``Sec. 300. The timetable with respect to the Congressional budget
process for any fiscal year is as follows:
``First Session
On or before: Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................ President submits his budget.
February 15............................. Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after President Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
submits budget.
April 1................................. Budget Committees report joint resolution on the budget.
April 15............................... Congress completes action on joint resolution on the budget.
June 10................................. House Appropriations Committee reports last annual appropriation bill.
June 15................................. Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation.
June 30................................. House completes action on annual appropriation bills.
October 1............................... Fiscal year begins.''.
SEC. 103. JOINT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET.
(a) Content of Joint Resolutions on the Budget.--Section 301(a)(4)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
``(4) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for
nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary
spending, Medicare, Medicaid, other direct spending (excluding
interest), and interest; and for emergencies (for the reserve
fund in section 317(b) and for military operations in section
317(C));''.
(b) Additional Matters in Joint Resolution.--Section 301(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
(1) Strike paragraphs (1), and (6) through (9).
(2) Redesignate paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5)
accordingly.
(3) Amend paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as
follows:
``(3) set forth such other matters, and require such other
procedures, relating to the budget as may be appropriate to
carry out the purposes of the Act, but shall not include a
suspension or alteration of the application of the motion to
strike a provision as set forth in section 310(d)(2) or
(h)(2)(F).''.
(c) Required Contents of Report.--Section 301(e)(2) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
(1) Redesignate subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and
(F) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), (F), (H), and (I),
respectively.
(2) Before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated), insert the
following new subparagraph:
``(A) new budget authority and outlays for each
major functional category, based on allocations of the
total levels set forth pursuant to subsection
(a)(1);''.
(3) In subparagraph (C) (as redesignated), strike
``mandatory'' and insert ``direct spending''.
(4) After subparagraph (C) (as redesignated), insert the
following new subparagraph:
``(D) a measure, as a percentage of gross domestic
product, of total outlays, total Federal revenues, the
surplus or deficit, and new outlays for nondefense
discretionary spending, defense spending, Medicare,
Medicaid and other direct spending as set forth in such
resolution;''.
(5) After subparagraph (F) (as redesignated), insert the
following new subparagraph:
``(G) if the joint resolution on the budget
includes any allocation to a committee other than the
Committee on Appropriations of levels in excess of
current law levels, a justification for not subjecting
any program, project, or activity (for which the
allocation is made) to annual discretionary
appropriations;''.
(d) Additional Contents of Report.--Section 301(e)(3) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
(1) Redesignate subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs
(B) and (C), respectively, strike subparagraphs (C) and (D),
and redesignate subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (D) and strike
the period and insert ``; and''.
(2) Before subparagraph (B), insert the following new
subparagraph:
``(A) new budget authority and outlays for each
major functional category, based on allocations of the
total levels set forth pursuant to subsection
(a)(1);''.
(3) At the end, add the following new subparagraph:
``(E) set forth, if required by subsection (f), the
calendar year in which, in the opinion of the Congress,
the goals for reducing unemployment set forth in
section 4(b) of the Employment Act of 1946 should be
achieved.''.
(e) Budget Presentation.--After section 301(e)(3) add the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Budget format.--In addition to the contents that may
be included in the report pursuant to paragraph (3), a
presentation of the functional categories may also be included
as follows:
``(A) Principal federal obligations.--Activities
intrinsic to the Federal Government (including both
discretionary and mandatory spending) as follows:
``(i) National defense;
``(ii) International affairs;
``(iii) Veterans benefits and services; and
``(iv) Administration of justice.
``(B) Federally supported domestic priorities.--The
total domestic discretionary spending levels as
follows:
``(i) Total domestic discretionary
spending.
``(ii) Optional inclusion of additional
specific recommended levels.
``(C) Major domestic entitlements.--Major domestic
direct spending programs as follows:
``(i) Medicare.
``(ii) Medicaid.
``(iii) Other direct spending.
``(iv) Optional inclusion of additional
specific recommended levels.
``(D) General government and financial
management.--Funding for financing government
operations as follows:
``(i) General government.
``(ii) Net interest.
``(iii) Allowances.
``(iv) Offsetting receipts.''.
(f) President's Budget Submission to Congress.--(1) The first two
sentences of section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, are
amended to read as follows: ``On or after the first Monday in January
but not later than the first Monday in February of each year the
President shall submit a budget of the United States Government for the
following fiscal year which shall set forth the following levels:
``(A) Totals of new budget authority and outlays.
``(B) Total Federal revenues and the amount, if any, by
which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be
increased or decreased by bills and resolutions to be reported
by the appropriate committees.
``(C) The surplus or deficit in the budget.
``(D) Subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for
nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary
spending, direct spending (excluding interest), and interest,
and for emergencies (for the reserve fund in section 317(b) and
for military operations in section 317(c)).
``(E) The public debt.
Each budget submission shall include a budget message and summary and
supporting information and, as a separately delineated statement, the
levels requires in the preceding sentence for at least each of the 4
ensuing fiscal years.''.
(2) The third sentence of section 1105(a) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``submission'' after ``budget''.
(g) Limitation on the Content of Budget Resolutions.--Section 305
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
``(e) Limitation on Contents.--(1) It shall not be in order in the
House of Representatives or in the Senate to consider any joint
resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto or conference report
thereon that contains any matter referred to in paragraph (2).
``(2) Any joint resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto
or conference report thereon that contains any matter not permitted in
section 301 (a) or (b) shall not be treated in the House of
Representatives or the Senate as a budget resolution under subsection
(a) or (b) or as a conference report on a budget resolution under
subsection (c) of this section.''.
SEC. 104. BUDGET REQUIRED BEFORE SPENDING BILLS MAY BE CONSIDERED.
(a) Amendments to Section 302.--Section 302 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (5); and
(2) in subsection (f)(1)(A), by striking ``as reported''.
(b) Amendments to Section 303 and Conforming Amendments.--(1)
Section 303 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by
striking ``(a) In General.--'', by striking ``has been agreed to'' and
inserting ``takes effect in subsection (a)'', and by striking
subsections (b) and (c); and
(2) by striking its section heading and inserting the following new
section heading: ``consideration of budget-related legislation before
budget becomes law''.
(c) Expedited Procedures Upon Veto of Joint Resolution on the
Budget.--(1) Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is
amended by adding after section 315 the following new section:
``expedited procedures upon veto of joint resolution on the budget
``Sec. 316. (a) Special Rule.--If the President vetoes a joint
resolution on the budget for a fiscal year, the majority leader of the
House of Representatives or Senate (or his designee) shall introduce a
concurrent resolution on the budget or joint resolution on the budget
for such fiscal year. If the Committee on the Budget of either House
fails to report such concurrent or joint resolution referred to it
within five calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal
holidays except when that House of Congress is in session) after the
date of such referral, the committee shall be automatically discharged
from further consideration of such resolution and such resolution shall
be placed on the appropriate calendar.
``(b) Procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate.--
``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions
of section 305 for the consideration in the House of
Representatives and in the Senate of joint resolutions on the
budget and conference reports thereon shall also apply to the
consideration of concurrent resolutions on the budget
introduced under subsection (a) and conference reports thereon.
``(2) Debate in the Senate on any concurrent resolution on
the budget or joint resolution on the budget introduced under
subsection (a), and all amendments thereto and debatable
motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited
to not more than 10 hours and in the House of Representatives
such debate shall be limited to not more than 3 hours.
``(c) Contents of Concurrent Resolutions.--Any concurrent
resolution on the budget introduced under subsection (a) shall be in
compliance with section 301.
``(d) Effect of Concurrent Resolution on the Budget.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, whenever a
concurrent resolution on the budget described in subsection (a) is
agreed to, then the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation
directives (if any) contained in the report accompanying such
concurrent resolution or in such concurrent resolution shall be
considered to be the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation
directives for all purposes of sections 302, 303, and 311 for the
applicable fiscal years and such concurrent resolution shall be deemed
to be a joint resolution for all purposes of this title and the Rules
of the House of Representatives and any reference to the date of
enactment of a joint resolution on the budget shall be deemed to be a
reference to the date agreed to when applied to such concurrent
resolution.''.
(2) The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following new
item:
``Sec. 316. Expedited procedures upon veto of joint resolution on the
budget.''.
SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS TO JOINT RESOLUTIONS ON THE BUDGET.
(a) Definition.--Paragraph (4) of section 3 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
``(4) the term `joint resolution on the budget' means--
``(A) a joint resolution setting forth the budget
for the United States Government for a fiscal year as
provided in section 301; and
``(B) any other joint resolution revising the
budget for the United States Government for a fiscal
year as described in section 304.''.
(b) Additional Amendments to the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974.--(1)(A) Sections 301, 302, 303, 305,
308, 310, 311, 312, 314, 405, and 904 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) are amended by striking ``concurrent''
each place it appears and inserting ``joint''.
(B) Section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is further
amended by striking the last sentence.
(C)(i) Sections 302(d), 302(g), 308(a)(1)(A), and 310(d)(1) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 are amended by striking ``most
recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget'' each place it
occurs and inserting ``most recently enacted joint resolution on the
budget or agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget (as
applicable)''.
(ii) The section heading of section 301 is amended by striking
``annual adoption of concurrent resolution'' and inserting ``joint
resolutions''; and
(iii) Section 304 of such Act is amended to read as follows:
``permissible revisions of budget resolutions
``Sec. 304. At any time after the joint resolution on the budget
for a fiscal year has been enacted pursuant to section 301, and before
the end of such fiscal year, the two Houses and the President may enact
a joint resolution on the budget which revises or reaffirms the joint
resolution on the budget for such fiscal year most recently enacted,
and for purposes of the enforcement of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the chairman of the Budget Committee of the House of
Representatives or the Senate, as applicable, may adjust levels as
needed for the enforcement off of the budget resolution.''.
(D) Sections 302, 303, 310, and 311, of such Act are amended by
striking ``agreed to'' each place it appears and by inserting
``enacted''.
(2)(A) Paragraph (4) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by striking ``concurrent''
each place it appears and by inserting ``joint''.
(B) The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of such Act is
amended--
(i) in the item relating to section 301, by striking
``Annual adoption of concurrent resolution'' and inserting
``Joint resolutions'';
(ii) by striking the item relating to section 303 and
inserting the following:
``Sec. 303. Consideration of budget-related legislation before budget
becomes law.'';
and
(iii) by striking ``concurrent'' and inserting ``joint'' in
the item relating to section 305.
(c) Conforming Amendments to the Rules of the House of
Representatives.--Clauses 1(d)(1), 4(a)(4), 4(b)(2), 4(f)(1)(A), and
4(f)(2) of rule X, clause 10 of rule XVIII, clause 10 of rule XX, and
clauses 7 and 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives are amended by striking ``concurrent'' each place it
appears and inserting ``joint''.
(d) Conforming Amendments to the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.--Section 258C(b)(1) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907d(b)(1)) is
amended by striking ``concurrent'' and inserting ``joint''.
(e) Conforming Amendments to Section 310 Regarding Reconciliation
Directives.--(1) The side heading of section 310(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (as amended by section 105(b)) is
further amended by inserting ``Joint Explanatory Statement Accompanying
Conference Report on'' before ``Joint''.
(2) Section 310(a) of such Act is amended by striking ``A'' and
inserting ``The joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference
report on a''.
(3) The first sentence of section 310(b) of such Act is amended by
striking ``If'' and inserting ``If the joint explanatory statement
accompanying the conference report on''.
(4) Section 310(c)(1) of such Act is amended by inserting ``the
joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on''
after ``pursuant to''.
(f) Conforming Amendments to Section 3 Regarding Direct Spending.--
Section 3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of
1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) The term `direct spending' has the meaning given to
such term in section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.''.
SEC. 106. CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section:
``Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations
``(a)(1) If any regular appropriation bill for each fiscal year in
a biennium does not become law before the beginning of such biennium or
a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect,
there are appropriated for the 2 years of the biennium, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable
corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, excluding any budget
authority designated as an emergency or temporary funding for projects
or activities that are not part of ongoing operations, such sums as may
be necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were
provided in the preceding fiscal year--
``(A) for defense, veterans, and homeland security
spending--
``(i) in the corresponding regular appropriation
Act for such preceding fiscal year; or
``(ii) if the corresponding regular appropriation
bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law,
then in a joint resolution making continuing
appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; and
``(B) for spending not described in subparagraph (A), total
level allowable for the appropriate accounts under section 251
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control of Act of
1985 in the same proportion of funding that such accounts
received the preceding fiscal year.
``(2) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this
section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower
of--
``(A) the rate of operations provided for in the regular
appropriation Act providing for such project or activity for
the preceding fiscal year;
``(B) in the absence of such an Act, the rate of operations
provided for such project or activity pursuant to a joint
resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding
fiscal year;
``(C) the rate of operations provided for in the regular
appropriation bill as passed by the House of Representatives or
the Senate for the fiscal year in question, except that the
lower of these two versions shall be ignored for any project or
activity for which there is a budget request if no funding is
provided for that project or activity in either version; or
``(D) the annualized rate of operations provided for in the
most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing
appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding
levels established under the provisions of this Act.
``(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a project or
activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day
of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of--
``(A) the date on which the applicable regular
appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or
not such law provides for such project or activity) or a
continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the
case may be; or
``(B) the last day of such fiscal year.
``(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this
section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with
respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the
preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such project or
activity under current law.
``(c) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for any project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to
this section shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for
such project or activity during the portion of such fiscal year for
which this section applies to such project or activity.
``(d) Expenditures made for a project or activity for any fiscal
year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable
appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation
bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the
end of a fiscal year providing for such project or activity for such
period becomes law.
``(e) This section shall not apply to a project or activity during
a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an
authorization of appropriations)--
``(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or
grants authority for such project or activity to continue for
such period; or
``(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be
made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall
be granted for such project or activity to continue for such
period.
``(f) For purposes of this section, the term `regular appropriation
bill' means any annual appropriation bill making appropriations,
otherwise making funds available, or granting authority, for any of the
following categories of projects and activities:
``(1) Agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug
Administration, and related agencies programs.
``(2) The Department of Defense.
``(3) Energy and water development, and related agencies.
``(4) State, foreign operations, and related programs.
``(5) The Department of Homeland Security.
``(6) The Department of the Interior, Environmental
Protection Agency, and related agencies.
``(7) The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and related agencies.
``(8) Military construction, veterans affairs, and related
agencies.
``(9) Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and
Commerce, and related agencies.
``(10) The Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and related agencies.
``(11) The Legislative Branch.
``(12) Financial services and general government.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 13 of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1310 the following new item:
``1311. Continuing appropriations.''.
TITLE II--BIENNIAL BUDGET
SEC. 201. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The provisions of this title shall take effect on January 1 of the
calendar year after the year of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 202. REVISION OF TIMETABLE.
Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631)
is amended to read as follows:
``timetable
``Sec. 300. (a) In General.--Except as provided by subsection (b),
the timetable with respect to the congressional budget process for any
Congress (beginning with the 113th Congress or a subsequent Congress,
as applicable) is as follows:
``First Session
On or before: Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................ President submits budget recommendations.
February 15............................. Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after budget Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
submission.
April 1................................. Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget.
May 15.................................. Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget.
May 15.................................. Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of
Representatives.
June 10................................. House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation
bill.
June 30................................. House completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1............................... Biennium begins.
``Second Session
On or before: Action to be completed:
February 15............................. President submits budget review.
Not later than 6 weeks after President Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
submits budget review.
The last day of the session............. Congress completes action on bills and resolutions authorizing new
budget authority for the succeeding biennium.
``(b) Special Rule.--In the case of any first session of Congress
that begins in any year during which the term of a President (except a
President who succeeds himself) begins, the following dates shall
supersede those set forth in subsection (a):
``First Session
On or before: Action to be completed:
First Monday in April................... President submits budget recommendations.
April 20................................ Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
May 15.................................. Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget.
June 1.................................. Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget.
June 1.................................. Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of
Representatives.
July 1.................................. House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation
bill.
July 20................................. House completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1............................... Biennium begins.''.
SEC. 203. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT
CONTROL ACT OF 1974.
(a) Declaration of Purpose.--Section 2(2) of the Congressional
Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621(2)) is amended
by striking ``each year'' and inserting ``biennially''.
(b) Definitions.--
(1) Budget resolution.--Section 3(4) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
622(4)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year'' each place it
appears and inserting ``biennium''.
(2) Biennium.--Section 3 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 622) (as
amended by section 113(a)) is further amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(13) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-
numbered year.''.
(c) Biennial Joint Resolution on the Budget.--
(1) Contents of resolution.--Section 301(a) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 632(a)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by--
(i) striking ``April 15 of each year'' and
inserting ``May 15 of each odd-numbered year'';
(ii) striking ``the fiscal year beginning
on October 1 of such year'' the first place it
appears and inserting ``the biennium beginning
on October 1 of such year'';
(iii) striking ``the fiscal year beginning
on October 1 of such year'' the second place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in
such period''; and
(iv) striking ``each of the four ensuing
fiscal years'' and inserting ``each fiscal year
in the next 2 bienniums'';
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``for the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in the
biennium''; and
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``for the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in the
biennium''.
(2) Additional matters.--Section 301(b) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 632(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``for such fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for either fiscal year in such
biennium''; and
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``for the first
fiscal year'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium''.
(3) Views of other committees.--Section 301(d) of such Act
(2 U.S.C. 632(d)) is amended by inserting ``(or, if applicable,
as provided by section 300(b))'' after ``United States Code''.
(4) Hearings.--Section 301(e)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
632(e)) is amended by--
(A) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''; and
(B) inserting after the second sentence the
following: ``On or before April 1 of each odd-numbered
year (or, if applicable, as provided by section
300(b)), the Committee on the Budget of each House
shall report to its House the joint resolution on the
budget referred to in subsection (a) for the biennium
beginning on October 1 of that year.''.
(5) Goals for reducing unemployment.--Section 301(f) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(f)) is amended by striking ``fiscal
year'' each place it appears and inserting ``biennium''.
(6) Economic assumptions.--Section 301(g)(1) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 632(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``for a fiscal year''
and inserting ``for a biennium''.
(7) Section heading.--The section heading of section 301 of
such Act is amended by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''.
(8) Table of contents.--The item relating to section 301 in
the table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of such Act is
amended by striking ``Annual'' and inserting ``Biennial''.
(d) Committee Allocations.--Section 302 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 633)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1) by--
(A) striking ``for the first fiscal year of the
resolution,'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium,'';
(B) striking ``for that period of fiscal years''
and inserting ``for all fiscal years covered by the
resolution''; and
(C) striking ``for the fiscal year of that
resolution'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year in
the biennium'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``for a fiscal year''
and inserting ``for a biennium'';
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``first fiscal year''
and inserting ``either fiscal year of the biennium'';
(4) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by--
(A) striking ``first fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year of the biennium''; and
(B) striking ``the total of fiscal years'' and
inserting ``the total of all fiscal years covered by
the resolution''; and
(5) in subsection (g)(1)(A), by striking ``April'' and
inserting ``May''.
(e) Section 303 Point of Order.--Section 303 of such Act (2 U.S.C.
634(a)) is amended by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting
``for a biennium'' and by striking ``the first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium''.
(f) Permissible Revisions of Joint Resolutions on the Budget.--
Section 304 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 635) is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year'' the first two places it
appears and inserting ``biennium'';
(2) by striking ``for such fiscal year''; and
(3) by inserting before the period ``for such biennium''.
(g) Procedures for Consideration of Budget Resolutions.--Section
305(a)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)) is amended by striking
``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium''.
(h) Completion of House Committee Action on Appropriation Bills.--
Section 307 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) by striking ``each year'' and inserting ``each odd-
numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section
300(b), July 1)'';
(2) by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``biennial'';
(3) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium'';
and
(4) by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each odd-
numbered year''.
(i) Completion of House Action on Regular Appropriation Bills.--
Section 309 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 640) is amended--
(1) by striking ``It'' and inserting ``Except whenever
section 300(b) is applicable, it'';
(2) by inserting ``of any odd-numbered calendar year''
after ``July'';
(3) by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''; and
(4) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium''.
(j) Reconciliation Process.--Section 310 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 641)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``any fiscal year'' and inserting ``any
biennium'';
(2) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``such fiscal year''
each place it appears and inserting ``any fiscal year covered
by such resolution''; and
(3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection
(g) as subsection (f).
(k) Section 311 Point of Order.--
(1) In the house of representatives.--Section 311(a)(1) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 642(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting
``for a biennium'';
(B) by striking ``the first fiscal year'' each
place it appears and inserting ``either fiscal year of
the biennium''; and
(C) by striking ``that first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(2) In the senate.--Section 311(a)(2) of such Act is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``for the
first fiscal year'' and inserting ``for either fiscal
year of the biennium''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``that first fiscal year''
the first place it appears and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(ii) by striking ``that first fiscal year
and the ensuing fiscal years'' and inserting
``all fiscal years''.
(3) Social security levels.--Section 311(a)(3) of such Act
is amended by--
(A) striking ``for the first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(B) striking ``that fiscal year and the ensuing
fiscal years'' and inserting ``all fiscal years''.
(l) Maximum Deficit Amount Point of Order.--Section 312(c) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 643) is amended--
(1) by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting ``for a
biennium'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``first fiscal year'' and
inserting ``either fiscal year in the biennium'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``that fiscal year'' and
inserting ``either fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(4) in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking
``that fiscal year'' and inserting ``the applicable fiscal
year''.
SEC. 204. AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) Clause 4(a)(1)(A) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by inserting ``odd-numbered'' after
``each''.
(b) Clause 4(a)(4) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''.
(c) Clause 4(b)(2) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``each fiscal year'' and
inserting ``the biennium''.
(d) Clause 4(b) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ``; and'' at the
end of subparagraph (6), and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(7) use the second session of each Congress to study
issues with long-term budgetary and economic implications,
including holding hearings to receive testimony from committees
of jurisdiction to identify problem areas and to report on the
results of oversight; and by January 1 of each odd-number year,
issuing a report to the Speaker which identifies the key issues
facing the Congress in the next biennium.''.
(e) Clause 4(e) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``annually'' each place it
appears and inserting ``biennially'' and by striking ``annual'' and
inserting ``biennial''.
(f) Clause 4(f) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended--
(1) by inserting ``during each odd-numbered year'' after
``submits his budget'';
(2) by striking ``fiscal year'' the first place it appears
and inserting ``biennium''; and
(3) by striking ``that fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in such ensuing biennium''.
(g) Clause 11(i) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``during the same or preceding
fiscal year''.
(h) Clause 3(d)(2)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``five'' both places it appears
and inserting ``six''.
(i) Clause 5(a)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``fiscal year after September 15
in the preceding fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium after September
15 of the calendar year in which such biennium begins''.
SEC. 205. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATION
ACTS.
Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts
``(a) The style and title of all Acts making appropriations for the
support of the Government shall be as follows: `An Act making
appropriations (here insert the object) for each fiscal year in the
biennium of fiscal years (here insert the fiscal years of the
biennium).'.
``(b) All Acts making regular appropriations for the support of the
Government shall be enacted for a biennium and shall specify the amount
of appropriations provided for each fiscal year in such period.
``(c) For purposes of this section, the term `biennium' has the
same meaning as in section 3(13) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(13)).''.
SEC. 206. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
(as amended by section 115(a)) is further amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``multiyear authorizations of appropriations
``Sec. 318. (a) It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any measure that contains a
specific authorization of appropriations for any purpose unless the
measure includes such a specific authorization of appropriations for
that purpose for not less than each fiscal year in one or more
bienniums.
``(b)(1) For purposes of this section, a specific authorization of
appropriations is an authorization for the enactment of an amount of
appropriations or amounts not to exceed an amount of appropriations
(whether stated as a sum certain, as a limit, or as such sums as may be
necessary) for any purpose for a fiscal year.
``(2) Subsection (a) does not apply with respect to an
authorization of appropriations for a single fiscal year for any
program, project, or activity if the measure containing that
authorization includes a provision expressly stating the following:
`Congress finds that no authorization of appropriation will be required
for [Insert name of applicable program, project, or activity] for any
subsequent fiscal year.'.
``(c) For purposes of this section, the term `measure' means a
bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report.''.
(b) Amendment to Table of Contents.--The table of contents set
forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding after the item relating to
section 317 the following new item:
``Sec. 318. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations.''.
SEC. 207. GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC AND PERFORMANCE PLANS ON A BIENNIAL
BASIS.
(a) Strategic Plans.--Section 306 of title 5, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 30, 1997''
and inserting ``September 30, 2013'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``at least every three years'' and
all that follows thereafter and inserting ``at least
every 4 years, except that strategic plans submitted by
September 30, 2013, shall be updated and revised by
September 30, 2014''; and
(B) by striking ``five years forward'' and
inserting ``six years forward''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after
``section'' the second place it appears and adding ``including
a strategic plan submitted by September 30, 2013, meeting the
requirements of subsection (a)''.
(b) Budget Contents and Submission to Congress.--Paragraph (28) of
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``beginning with fiscal year 1999, a'' and inserting ``beginning with
fiscal year 2014, a biennial''.
(c) Performance Plans.--Section 1115 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1) by striking
``an annual'' and inserting ``a biennial'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting after ``program
activity'' the following: ``for both years 1 and 2 of
the biennial plan'';
(C) in paragraph (5) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(D) in paragraph (6) by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and inserting ``and'' after the
inserted semicolon; and
(E) by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with
the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.'';
(2) in subsection (d) by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''; and
(3) in paragraph (6) of subsection (g) by striking
``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''.
(d) Managerial Accountability and Flexibility.--Section 9703 of
title 31, United States Code, relating to managerial accountability, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``annual'';
and
(B) by striking ``section 1105(a)(29)'' and
inserting ``section 1105(a)(28)'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``one or''
before ``two years'';
(B) in the second sentence by striking ``a
subsequent year'' and inserting ``for a subsequent 2-
year period''; and
(C) in the third sentence by striking ``three'' and
inserting ``four''.
(e) Strategic Plans.--Section 2802 of title 39, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 30, 1997''
and inserting ``September 30, 2013'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``at least every three
years'' and inserting ``at least every 4 years except that
strategic plans submitted by September 30, 2013, shall be
updated and revised by September 30, 2014'';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking ``five years forward''
and inserting ``six years forward''; and
(4) in subsection (c), by inserting a comma after
``section'' the second place it appears and inserting
``including a strategic plan submitted by September 30, 2013,
meeting the requirements of subsection (a)''.
(f) Performance Plans.--Section 2803(a) of title 39, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``an
annual'' and inserting ``a biennial'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ``program
activity'' the following: ``for both years 1 and 2 of the
biennial plan'';
(3) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(5) by adding after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) cover each fiscal year of the biennium beginning with
the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle.''.
(g) Committee Views of Plans and Reports.--Section 301(d) of the
Congressional Budget Act (2 U.S.C. 632(d)) is amended by adding at the
end: ``Each committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives
shall review the strategic plans, performance plans, and performance
reports, required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and
sections 1115 and 1116 of title 31, United States Code, of all agencies
under the jurisdiction of the committee. Each committee may provide its
views on such plans or reports to the Committee on the Budget of the
applicable House.''.
(h) Program Formulas in Performance Plans.--Section 1115(b) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by inserting at the end the following:
``(11) a description of the formulas used for the program
and program funding decisions including the criteria and
factors used and the weight given to each of these factors.''.
SEC. 208. BIENNIAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
(a) In the House of Representatives.--Clause 2(a) of rule XXI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the
end the following new subparagraph:
``(3)(A) Except as provided by subdivision (B), an appropriation
may not be reported in a general appropriation bill (other than a
supplemental appropriation bill), and may not be in order as an
amendment thereto, unless it provides new budget authority or
establishes a level of obligations under contract authority for each
fiscal year of a biennium.
``(B) Subdivision (A) does not apply with respect to an
appropriation for a single fiscal year for any program, project, or
activity if the bill or amendment thereto containing that appropriation
includes a provision expressly stating the following: `Congress finds
that no additional funding beyond one fiscal year will be required and
the [Insert name of applicable program, project, or activity] will be
completed or terminated after the amount provided has been expended.'.
``(C) For purposes of paragraph (b), the statement set forth in
subdivision (B) with respect to an appropriation for a single fiscal
year for any program, project, or activity may be included in a general
appropriation bill or amendment thereto.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Clause 5(b)(1) of rule XXII of the House
of Representatives is amended by striking ``or (C)'' and inserting ``or
(3) or 2(C)''.
SEC. 209. ASSISTANCE BY FEDERAL AGENCIES TO STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) Information Regarding Agency Appropriations Requests.--To
assist each standing committee of the House of Representatives and the
Senate in carrying out its responsibilities, the head of each Federal
agency which administers the laws or parts of laws under the
jurisdiction of such committee shall provide to such committee such
studies, information, analyses, reports, and assistance as may be
requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee.
(b) Information Regarding Agency Program Administration.--To assist
each standing committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate
in carrying out its responsibilities, the head of any agency shall
furnish to such committee documentation, containing information
received, compiled, or maintained by the agency as part of the
operation or administration of a program, or specifically compiled
pursuant to a request in support of a review of a program, as may be
requested by the chairman and ranking minority member of such
committee.
(c) Summaries by Comptroller General.--Within 30 days after the
receipt of a request from a chairman and ranking minority member of a
standing committee having jurisdiction over a program being reviewed
and studied by such committee under this section, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall furnish to such committee summaries
of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General
has completed during the preceding 6 years.
(d) Congressional Assistance.--Consistent with their duties and
functions under law, the Comptroller General of the United States, the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the Director of the
Congressional Research Service shall continue to furnish (consistent
with established protocols) to each standing committee of the House of
Representatives or the Senate such information, studies, analyses, and
reports as the chairman and ranking minority member may request to
assist the committee in conducting reviews and studies of programs
under this section.
<all>