Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2011 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require: (1) biennial (instead of annual) budget resolutions, (2) biennial appropriations Acts, and (3) biennial government strategic and performance plans.
Requires a three-fifths vote in each chamber for passage of a bill or joint resolution making supplemental appropriations during the second session of a Congress, unless Congress designates all of the provisions specified in such measure as emergency requirements or for Global War on Terrorism.
Makes conforming amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year.
Requires: (1) a federal agency, upon request by a congressional committee, to provide appropriate information regarding its appropriations requests and program administration; (2) the Comptroller General to furnish to such committee summaries of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General has completed during the preceding six years; and (3) the Comptroller General, Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to furnish such committee appropriate information, studies, analyses, and reports.
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year, and the budget process based on that definition, to a two-year fiscal period with a biennial budget process based on such period.
Requires the President's budget submission for FY2014 to include: (1) an identification of the budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY2014-FY2015 biennium, and (2) budget authority that should be provided for each such fiscal year for the budget accounts.
Directs: (1) the House and Senate committees, during the first session of the 113th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule; and (2) the Comptroller General, during such Congress, to continue to provide assistance to Congress with respect to programmatic oversight, and in particular to assist the congressional committees in designing and conforming programmatic oversight procedures for FY2014-FY2015 biennium.
Establishes within the legislative branch the Biennial Budget Commission to provide recommendations and legislative language to move a biennial budget concurrent resolution forward in the event that the House and Senate are unable to pass a biennial budget by July 31 of an odd-numbered year.
Prescribes procedures for expedited consideration of the Commission's recommendations.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3082 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3082
To provide a biennial budget for the United States Government, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 3, 2011
Mr. Johnson of Illinois (for himself and Mr. Lipinski) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Budget, and
in addition to the Committees on Rules and Oversight and Government
Reform, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide a biennial budget for the United States Government, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Biennial Budgeting
and Appropriations Act of 2011''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF BIENNIAL BUDGET FOR THE GOVERNMENT
Sec. 101. Revision of timetable.
Sec. 102. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974.
Sec. 103. Amendments to Rules of House of Representatives.
Sec. 104. Amendments to title 31, United States Code.
Sec. 105. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriations
Acts.
Sec. 106. Multiyear authorizations.
Sec. 107. Government strategic and performance plans on a biennial
basis.
Sec. 108. Biennial appropriation bills.
Sec. 109. Assistance by Federal agencies to standing committees of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
Sec. 110. Report on two-year fiscal period.
Sec. 111. Special transition period for the 113th Congress.
Sec. 112. Effective date.
TITLE II--ESTABLISHMENT OF BIENNIAL BUDGET COMMISSION
Sec. 201. Establishment of biennial budget commission.
Sec. 202. Expedited consideration of biennial commission
recommendations.
Sec. 203. Funding.
Sec. 204. Rulemaking.
Sec. 205. Effective date.
TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF BIENNIAL BUDGET FOR THE GOVERNMENT
SEC. 101. 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 One Hundred Fourteenth Congress) is as
follows:
``First Session
On or before: Action to be completed:
First Tuesday in February.......... President submits budget
recommendations.
February 20........................ Congressional Budget Office submits
report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 4 weeks after budget Committees submit views and
submission. estimates to Budget Committees.
April 1............................ Budget Committees report concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget.
May 1.............................. Biennial appropriation bills may be
considered in the House.
May 15............................. Congress completes action on
concurrent resolution on the
biennial budget.
June 15............................ House Appropriations Committee
reports last biennial
appropriation bill.
July 31............................ 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 Congressional Budget Office submits
President submits budget review. report to Budget Committees.
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 outgoing President shall
submit his budget review no later than December 31 of the preceding
year. All other second session deadlines remain unchanged.''.
SEC. 102. 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) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(12) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-
numbered year.''.
(c) Biennial Concurrent 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''; and
(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'';
(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 concurrent 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 (a)(5), by striking ``April 15'' and
inserting ``May 15'';
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``for a fiscal year''
and inserting ``for a biennium'';
(4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``first fiscal year''
and inserting ``either fiscal year of the biennium'';
(5) 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
(6) in subsection (g)(1)(A), by striking ``April'' and
inserting ``May''.
(e) Section 303 Point of Order.--
(1) In general.--Section 303(a) 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''.
(2) Exceptions in the house.--Section 303(b) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 634(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``the budget
year'' and inserting ``the biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``the biennium''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(or June 1
whenever section 300(b) is applicable)''.
(3) Application to the senate.--Section 303(c)(1) of such
Act (2 U.S.C. 634(c)) is amended by--
(A) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''; and
(B) striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year of that biennium''.
(f) Permissible Revisions of Concurrent 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), August 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) Quarterly Budget Reports.--Section 308 of such Act (2 U.S.C.
639) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Quarterly Budget Reports.--The Director of the Congressional
Budget Office shall, as soon as practicable after the completion of
each quarter of the fiscal year, prepare an analysis comparing
revenues, spending, and the deficit or surplus for the current fiscal
year to assumptions included in the congressional budget resolution. In
preparing this report, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
shall combine actual budget figures to date with projected revenue and
spending for the balance of the fiscal year. The Director of the
Congressional Budget Office shall include any other information in this
report that it deems useful for a full understanding of the current
fiscal position of the Federal Government. The reports mandated by this
subsection shall be transmitted by the Director to the Senate and House
Committees on the Budget, and the Congressional Budget Office shall
make such reports available to any interested party upon request.''.
(j) 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''.
(k) 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).
(l) Section 311 Point of Order.--
(1) In the house.--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''.
(m) 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''.
(n) Three-Fifths Vote Required for Supplementals in Second
Sessions.--Section 312 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Three-Fifths Vote Required for Supplementals in Second
Sessions.--(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), a bill or joint
resolution making supplemental appropriations during the second session
of a Congress may not be considered as passed or agreed to in the House
of Representatives or the Senate unless so determined by a vote of not
less than three-fifths of the Members voting, a quorum being present.
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any measure making
supplemental appropriations if Congress designates all of the
provisions set forth in such measure as emergency requirements or for
the Global War on Terrorism.
``(3) As used in this subsection, the term `emergency' has the
meaning given to such term in section 250(c)(20) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.''.
SEC. 103. AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF 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, which would include--
``(A) hold hearings to receive testimony from committees of
jurisdiction to identify problem areas and to report on the
results of oversight; and
``(B) by January 1 of each odd-numbered year, issuing a
report to the Speaker which identifies the key issues facing
the Congress in the next biennium.''.
(e) 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''.
(f) 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''.
(g) 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
``the submission of budget by the President'';
(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''.
(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 year in which such biennium begins''.
SEC. 104. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Definition.--Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
``(3) `biennium' has the meaning given to such term in
paragraph (12) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)).''.
(b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress.--
(1) Schedule.--The matter preceding paragraph (1) in
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(a) On or before the first Tuesday in February of each odd-
numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section 300(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974), beginning with the One Hundred
Fourteenth Congress, the President shall transmit to the Congress, the
budget for the biennium beginning on October 1 of such calendar year.
The budget transmitted under this subsection shall include a budget
message and summary and supporting information. The President shall
include in each budget the following:''.
(2) Expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
(3) Receipts.--Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
(4) Balance statements.--Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(5) Government functions and activities.--Section
1105(a)(12) of title 31, United States Code, is amended in
subparagraph (A), by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(6) Allowances.--Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(7) Allowances for unanticipated and uncontrollable
expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium for which the budget is
submitted''.
(8) Tax expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
(9) Estimates for future years.--Section 1105(a)(17) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the fiscal year following the
fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
biennium following the biennium'';
(B) by striking ``that following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each such fiscal year''; and
(C) by striking ``fiscal year before the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``biennium before the biennium''.
(10) Prior year outlays.--Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years,'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' and inserting ``in
those fiscal years''.
(11) Prior year receipts.--Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' each place it
appears and inserting ``in those fiscal years''.
(c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches.--
Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``each year'' and inserting ``each even numbered year''.
(d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies.--Section
1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the first place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for'';
(2) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the second place it
appears and inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium, as
the case may be,''; and
(3) by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``for each year
of the biennium''.
(e) Capital Investment Analysis.--Section 1105(e)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``ensuing fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium to which such budget relates''.
(f) Supplemental Budget Estimates and Changes.--
(1) In general.--Section 1106(a) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by--
(i) inserting ``and before February 1 of
each even numbered year'' after ``Before July
16 of each year''; and
(ii) striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``that fiscal
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in such
biennium'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``4 fiscal years
following the fiscal year'' and inserting ``4 fiscal
years following the biennium''; and
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``fiscal year''
and inserting ``biennium''.
(2) Changes.--Section 1106(b) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended by--
(A) striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting
``each fiscal year in the biennium''; and
(B) inserting ``and before February 15 of each even
numbered year'' after ``Before July 16 of each year''.
(g) Current Programs and Activities Estimates.--
(1) The president.--Section 1109(a) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``On or before the first Monday
after January 3 of each year (on or before February 5
in 1986)'' and inserting ``At the same time the budget
required by section 1105 is submitted for a biennium'';
and
(B) by striking ``the following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year of such period''.
(2) Joint economic committee.--Section 1109(b) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``March 1 of each
year'' and inserting ``within 5 weeks of the President's budget
submission for each odd-numbered year (or, if applicable, as
provided by section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974)''.
(h) Year-Ahead Requests for Authorizing Legislation.--Section 1110
of title 31, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) striking ``May 16'' and inserting ``March 31''; and
(2) striking ``year before the year in which the fiscal
year begins'' and inserting ``calendar year preceding the
calendar year in which the biennium begins''.
SEC. 105. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS
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(12) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)).''.
SEC. 106. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``multiyear authorizations of appropriations
``Sec. 316. (a) Point of Order.--(1)(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) For purposes of this paragraph, 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) Paragraph (1) 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.'.
``(3) For purposes of this subsection, 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 315 the following new item:
``Sec. 316. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations.''.
SEC. 107. 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, 2014'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``at least every three years'' and
inserting ``at least every 4 years''; 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, 2014, 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 2016, 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 (f) 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 ``Beginning
with fiscal year 1999, the'' and inserting ``Beginning
with fiscal year 2016, the biennial'' and by striking
``annual''; and
(B) by striking ``section 1105(a)(29)'' and
inserting ``section 1105(a)(28)''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``one or''
before ``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) Pilot Projects for Performance Budgeting.--Section 1119 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) of subsection (d), by striking
``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``annual'' and inserting
``biennial''.
(f) 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, 2014'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``at least every three
years'' and inserting ``at least every 4 years'';
(3) 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, 2014,
meeting the requirements of subsection (a)''.
(g) 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.''.
(h) 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.''.
(i) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on September 30, 2014.
(2) Agency actions.--Effective on and after the date of
enactment of this Act, each agency shall take such actions as
necessary to prepare and submit any plan or report in
accordance with the amendments made by it.
SEC. 108. BIENNIAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.
(a) In the House of Representatives.--(1) 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.''.
(2) 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)''.
(b) In the Senate.--(1) Title III of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631 et seq.), as amended by section 106, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``consideration of biennial appropriation bills
``Sec. 317. It shall not be in order in the Senate in any odd-
numbered year to consider any regular appropriation bill providing new
budget authority or a limitation on obligations under the jurisdiction
of the Committee on Appropriations for only the first fiscal year of a
biennium, unless the program, project, or activity for which the new
budget authority or obligation limitation is provided will require no
additional authority beyond one year and will be completed or
terminated after the amount provided has been expended.''.
(2) 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 316 the following new item:
``Sec. 317. Consideration of biennial appropriation bills.''.
SEC. 109. 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 thirty 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 six 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.
SEC. 110. REPORT ON TWO-YEAR FISCAL PERIOD.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall--
(1) determine the impact and feasibility of changing the
definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on
that definition to a 2-year fiscal period with a biennial
budget process based on the 2-year period; and
(2) report the findings of the study to the Committees on
the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate and
the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 111. SPECIAL TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THE 113TH CONGRESS.
(a) President's Budget Submission for Fiscal Year 2014.--The budget
submission of the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, for fiscal year 2014 shall include the following:
(1) An identification of the budget accounts for which an
appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the fiscal
year 2014-2015 biennium.
(2) Budget authority that should be provided for each such
fiscal year for the budget accounts identified under paragraph
(1).
(b) Review and Recommendations of the Committees on
Appropriations.--The Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate shall review the items included pursuant
to subsection (a) in the budget submission of the President for fiscal
year 2014 and include its recommendations thereon in its views and
estimates made under section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 within 6 weeks of that budget submission.
(c) Actions by the Committees on the Budget.--(1) The Committee on
the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall review
the items included pursuant to subsection (a) in the budget submission
of the President for fiscal year 2014 and the recommendations submitted
by the Committee on Appropriations of its House pursuant to subsection
(b) included in its views and estimates made under section 301(d) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(2) The report of the Committee on the Budget of each House
accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year
2014 and the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying such
resolution shall also include allocations to the Committee on
Appropriations of its House of total new budget authority and total
outlays (which shall be deemed to be made pursuant to section 302(a) of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for purposes of budget enforcement
under section 302(f)) for fiscal year 2015 from which the Committee on
Appropriations may report regular appropriation bills for fiscal year
2014 that include funding for certain accounts for each of fiscal years
2014 and 2015.
(3) The report of the Committee on the Budget of each House
accompanying the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year
2014 and the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying such
resolution shall also include the assumptions upon which such
allocations referred to in paragraph (2) are based.
(d) GAO Programmatic Oversight Assistance.--(1) During the first
session of the 113th Congress the committees of the House of
Representatives and the Senate are directed to work with the
Comptroller General of the United States to develop plans to transition
program authorizations to a multi-year schedule.
(2) During the 113th Congress, the Comptroller General of the
United States will continue to provide assistance to the Congress with
respect to programmatic oversight and in particular will assist the
committees of Congress in designing and conforming programmatic
oversight procedures for the fiscal year 2014-2015 biennium.
(e) CBO Authorization Report.--On or before January 15, 2014, the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, after consultation with
the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and Senate,
shall submit to the Congress a report listing (A) all programs and
activities funded during fiscal year 2014 for which authorizations for
appropriations have not been enacted for that fiscal year and (B) all
programs and activities funded during fiscal year 2014 for which
authorizations for appropriations will expire during that fiscal year,
fiscal year 2015, or fiscal year 2016.
(f) President's Budget Submission for Fiscal Year 2015.--The budget
submission of the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, for fiscal year 2015 shall include an evaluation
of, and recommendations regarding, the transitional biennial budget
process for the fiscal year 2014-2015 biennium that was carried out
pursuant to this section.
(g) CBO Transitional Report.--On or before March 31, 2014, the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall submit to Congress an
evaluation of, and recommendations regarding, the transitional biennial
budget process for the fiscal year 2014-2015 biennium that was carried
out pursuant to this section.
SEC. 112. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as provided by sections 107, 110, and 111, this title and
the amendments made by it shall take effect on January 1, 2015, and
shall apply to budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium
beginning with fiscal year 2016.
TITLE II--ESTABLISHMENT OF BIENNIAL BUDGET COMMISSION
SECTION 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF BIENNIAL BUDGET COMMISSION.
(a) Definitions.--In this title:
(1) Biennial budget commission.--The term ``Biennial
Commission'' means the Biennial Budget Commission established
under subsection (b)(1).
(2) Concurrent resolution on the biennial budget.--The term
``concurrent resolution'' means a concurrent resolution
consisting of the proposed legislative language of the Biennial
Commission recommended under subsection (b)(3)(B) and
introduced under section 202(a).
(b) Establishment of Biennial Budget Commission.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
legislative branch a commission to be known as the ``Biennial
Budget Commission''.
(2) Goal.--The goal of the Biennial Commission shall be to
produce a concurrent resolution on the applicable biennial
budget whenever Congress has failed to complete action on such
concurrent resolution by July 31 of the applicable odd-numbered
year.
(3) Duties.--
(A) In general.--
(i) Moving a concurrent resolution on the
biennial budget forward.--In the event that the
House and Senate are unable to pass a biennial
budget by July 31 of an odd-numbered year, the
Biennial Commission shall provide
recommendations and legislative language to
move a biennial budget forward.
(ii) Recommendations of committees on the
budget.--Not later than August 7, the Committee
on the Budget of the House of Representatives
and of the Senate may transmit to the Biennial
Commission its biennial budget recommendations.
(B) Report, recommendations, and concurrent
resolution.--
(i) In general.--Not later than September
30 of each odd-numbered year, the Biennial
Commission shall vote on a concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget unless
Congress has completed action on such
resolution by July 31 of that year.
(ii) Approval of report and concurrent
resolution.--The report of the Biennial
Commission and the concurrent resolution on the
biennial budget it recommends shall require the
approval of a majority of the members of the
Biennial Commission.
(iii) Transmission of concurrent
resolution.--If the concurrent resolution on
the biennial budget is approved by the Biennial
Commission pursuant to clause (ii), then not
later than September 20 of an odd-numbered
year, the Biennial Commission shall submit the
Biennial Commission report and concurrent
resolution described in clause (i) to the
Speaker of the House and the majority and
minority leaders of both Houses.
(iv) Report and concurrent resolution to be
made public.--Upon the approval or disapproval
of the Biennial Commission report and
concurrent resolution on the biennial budget
pursuant to clause (ii), the Biennial
Commission shall promptly make the full
concurrent resolution, and a record of the
vote, available to the public.
(4) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The Biennial Commission shall be
composed of 8 members appointed pursuant to
subparagraph (B) for the duration of a Congress.
(B) Designation.--Members of the Biennial
Commission shall be appointed as follows:
(i) The majority leader of the Senate shall
appoint two members from among Members of the
Senate.
(ii) The minority leader of the Senate
shall appoint two members from among Members of
the Senate.
(iii) The Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall appoint two members from
among Members of the House of Representatives.
(iv) The minority leader of the House of
Representatives shall appoint two members from
among Members of the House of Representatives.
(C) Co-chairs.--
(i) In general.--There shall be two Co-
Chairs of the Biennial Commission. The majority
leader of the Senate shall appoint one Co-Chair
from among the members of the Biennial
Commission. The Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall appoint the second Co-
Chair from among the members of the Biennial
Commission. The Co-Chairs shall be appointed
not later than August 7 of each odd-numbered
year.
(ii) Staff director.--The Co-Chairs, acting
jointly, shall hire the staff director of the
Biennial Commission.
(D) Date.--Members of the Biennial Commission shall
be appointed not later than August 7 of each odd-
numbered year.
(E) Period of appointment.--Membership on the
Commission shall terminate on September 30 of each odd-
numbered year. Any vacancy in the Biennial Commission
shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled not
later than 5 calendar days after the date on which the
vacancy occurs in the same manner as the original
designation. If a member of the committee leaves
Congress, the member is no longer a member of the
Biennial Commission and a vacancy shall exist.
(5) Administration.--
(A) In general.--To enable the Biennial Commission
to exercise its powers, functions, and duties, there
are authorized to be disbursed by the House the actual
and necessary expenses of the Biennial Commission
approved by the Co-Chairs, subject to House rules and
regulations.
(B) Expenses.--In carrying out its functions, the
Biennial Commission is authorized to incur expenses in
the same manner and under the same conditions as the
Joint Economic Committee as authorized by section 11 of
Public Law 79-304 (15 U.S.C. 1024(d)).
(C) Quorum.--Five members of the Biennial
Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of
voting, meeting, and holding hearings.
(D) Proxy voting prohibited.--No proxy voting shall
be allowed on behalf of the members of the Biennial
Commission.
(E) Meetings.--
(i) Initial meeting.--Not later than the
3rd calendar day in September that either House
of Congress is in session after the Biennial
Commission is triggered, the Biennial
Commission shall hold its first meeting.
(ii) Agenda.--The Co-Chairs shall provide
an agenda to the Biennial Commission members
not less than 48 hours in advance of any
meeting.
(F) Hearings.--
(i) In general.--The Biennial Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this
section, hold such hearings, sit and act at
such times and places, require attendance of
witnesses and production of books, papers, and
documents, take such testimony, receive such
evidence, and administer such oaths the
Biennial Commission considers advisable.
(ii) Hearing procedures and
responsibilities of co-chairs.--
(I) Announcement.--The Biennial
Commission Co-Chairs shall make a
public announcement of the date, place,
time, and subject matter of any hearing
to be conducted not less than 7 days in
advance of such hearing, unless the Co-
Chairs determine that there is good
cause to begin such hearing at an
earlier date.
(II) Written statement.--A witness
appearing before the Biennial
Commission shall file a written
statement of proposed testimony at
least 2 calendar days prior to
appearance, unless the requirement is
waived by the Co-Chairs, following
their determination that there is good
cause for failure of compliance.
(G) Congressional budget office technical
assistance.--Upon the written request of the Co-Chairs,
the Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall
provide technical assistance to the Biennial Commission
in order for the Biennial Commission to carry out its
duties.
(c) Staff of Biennial Commission.--
(1) In general.--The Co-Chairs of the Biennial Commission
may jointly appoint and fix the compensation of staff as they
deem necessary, within the guidelines for Senate employees and
following all applicable Senate rules and employment
requirements.
(2) Ethical standards.--Members on the Biennial Commission
who serve in the House of Representatives shall be governed by
the House ethics rules and requirements. Members of the Senate
who serve on the Biennial Commission and staff of the Biennial
Commission shall comply with Senate ethics rules.
SEC. 202. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF BIENNIAL COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) Introduction.--If approved by the majority required by section
201(b)(3)(B)(ii), the proposed concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget submitted pursuant to section 201(b)(3)(B)(iv) shall be
introduced in the Senate (by request) on the next day on which the
Senate is in session by the majority leader of the Senate or by a
Member of the Senate designated by the majority leader of the Senate
and shall be introduced in the House of Representatives (by request) on
the next legislative day by the majority leader of the House or by a
Member of the House designated by the majority leader of the House.
(b) Consideration in the House of Representatives.--
(1) Referral and reporting.--The Committee on the Budget of
the House of Representatives shall report the concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget to the House without
amendment not later than September 30 of that year. If a
committee fails to report the concurrent resolution within that
period, it shall be in order to move that the House discharge
the committee from further consideration of the concurrent
resolution. Such a motion shall not be in order after the last
committee authorized to consider the concurrent resolution
reports it to the House or after the House has disposed of a
motion to discharge the concurrent resolution. The previous
question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its
adoption without intervening motion except 20 minutes of debate
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an
opponent. If such a motion is adopted, the House shall proceed
immediately to consider the concurrent resolution in accordance
with paragraphs (2) and (3). A motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order.
(2) Proceeding to consideration.--After the Committee on
the Budget of the House of Representatives reports the
concurrent resolution on the biennial budget to the House or
has been discharged (other than by motion) from its
consideration, it shall be in order to move to proceed to
consider the concurrent resolution in the House. Such a motion
shall not be in order after the House has disposed of a motion
to proceed with respect to the concurrent resolution. The
previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion
to its adoption without intervening motion. A motion to
reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall
not be in order.
(3) Consideration.--The concurrent resolution on the
biennial budget shall be considered as read. All points of
order against the concurrent resolution and against its
consideration are waived. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to its
passage without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent
and one motion to limit debate on the concurrent resolution. A
motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the concurrent
resolution shall not be in order.
(4) Vote on passage.--The vote on passage of the concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget shall occur not later than
September 30 of any odd-numbered year.
(c) Expedited Procedure in the Senate.--
(1) Committee consideration.--A concurrent resolution on
the biennial budget introduced in the Senate under subsection
(a) shall be referred to the Committee on the Budget, which
shall report the concurrent resolution without any revision and
with a favorable recommendation, an unfavorable recommendation,
or without recommendation, not later than September 30. If any
committee fails to report the concurrent resolution within that
period, that committee shall be automatically discharged from
consideration of the concurrent resolution, and the concurrent
resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
(2) Motion to proceed.--Notwithstanding Rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order, not later than 2
days of session after the date on which a concurrent resolution
on the biennial budget is reported or discharged from all
committees to which it was referred, for the majority leader of
the Senate or the majority leader's designee to move to proceed
to the consideration of the concurrent resolution. It shall
also be in order for any Member of the Senate to move to
proceed to the consideration of the concurrent resolution at
any time after the conclusion of such 2-day period. A motion to
proceed is in order even though a previous motion to the same
effect has been disagreed to. All points of order against the
motion to proceed to the concurrent resolution are waived. The
motion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not subject
to a motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in
order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the
concurrent resolution is agreed to, the concurrent resolution
shall remain the unfinished business until disposed of.
(3) Consideration.--All points of order against the
concurrent resolution on the biennial budget and against
consideration of the concurrent resolution are waived.
Consideration of the concurrent resolution and of all debatable
motions and appeals in connection therewith shall not exceed a
total of 30 hours which shall be divided equally between the
majority and minority leaders or their designees. A motion
further to limit debate on the concurrent resolution is in
order, shall require an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the
Members duly chosen and sworn, and is not debatable. Any
debatable motion or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 1
hour, to be divided equally between those favoring and those
opposing the motion or appeal. All time used for consideration
of the concurrent resolution, including time used for quorum
calls and voting, shall be counted against the total 30 hours
of consideration.
(4) No amendments.--An amendment to the concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget, or a motion to postpone, or
a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or
a motion to recommit the concurrent resolution, is not in
order.
(5) Vote on passage.--If the Senate has voted to proceed to
the concurrent resolution on the biennial budget, the vote on
passage of the concurrent resolution shall occur immediately
following the conclusion of the debate on a concurrent
resolution, and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the
debate if requested. The vote on passage of the concurrent
resolution shall occur not later than September 30 of an odd-
numbered year.
(6) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals from the
decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules
of the Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure relating to
a concurrent resolution on the biennial budget shall be decided
without debate.
(d) Amendment.--The concurrent resolution on the biennial budget
shall not be subject to amendment in either the House of
Representatives or the Senate.
(e) Consideration by the Other House.--
(1) In general.--If, before passing the concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget, one House receives from the
other a concurrent resolution--
(A) the concurrent resolution of the other House
shall not be referred to a committee; and
(B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be
the same as if no concurrent resolution had been
received from the other House until the vote on
passage, when the concurrent resolution received from
the other House shall supplant the concurrent
resolution of the receiving House.
(2) Revenue measure.--This subsection shall not apply to
the House of Representatives if the concurrent resolution on
the biennial budget received from the Senate is a revenue
measure.
(f) Rules to Coordinate Action With Other House.--
(1) Treatment of concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget of the other house.--If the Senate fails to introduce or
consider a concurrent resolution on the biennial budget under
this section, the concurrent resolution of the House shall be
entitled to expedited floor procedures under this section.
(2) Treatment of companion measures in the senate.--If
following passage of the concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget in the Senate, the Senate then receives the concurrent
resolution from the House of Representatives, the House-passed
concurrent resolution shall not be debatable. The vote on
passage of the concurrent resolution in the Senate shall be
considered to be the vote on passage of the concurrent
resolution received from the House of Representatives.
(3) Vetoes.--If the President vetoes the concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget, debate on a veto message in
the Senate under this section shall be 1 hour equally divided
between the majority and minority leaders or their designees.
(g) Loss of Privilege.--The provisions of this section shall cease
to apply to the concurrent resolution on the biennial budget if--
(1) the Biennial Commission fails to vote on the report or
the concurrent resolution required under section
201(b)(3)(B)(i) by November 23 of the applicable odd-numbered
year; or
(2) the concurrent resolution does not pass both Houses by
December 23 of the applicable odd-numbered year.
SEC. 203. FUNDING.
Funding for the Biennial Commission shall be derived in equal
portions from--
(1) the applicable accounts of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the contingent fund of the Senate from the
appropriations account ``Miscellaneous Items'', subject to
Senate rules and regulations.
SEC. 204. RULEMAKING.
The provisions of this title are enacted by Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, respectively, and as such they
shall be considered as part of the rules of each House,
respectively, or of that House to which they specifically
apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the
extent that they are inconsistent therewith; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change such rules (so far as relating to such
House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent
as in the case of any other rule of such House.
SEC. 205. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title shall take effect on January 1, 2015, and shall apply to
concurrent resolutions on the biennial budget for the biennium
beginning with fiscal year 2016.
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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency, and Financial Management.
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