U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) recently had an op-ed published on CNBC.com explaining why the federal budget process is broken and in need of repair.
Hultgren wrote that, by law, Congress is required to pass a budget each fiscal year, laying out the manner of allocating taxpayer dollars for all federal programs. In addition, Congress is required to pass 12 function and program-related appropriations bills that distribute the funding to various departments, agencies and programs.
"Unfortunately, within the current political climate of heightened partisanship and increased influence of advocacy groups, fewer than 10 percent of appropriations and budget bills are passed on time," Hultgren wrote. "Instead, Congress and the administration have relied on last-minute continuing resolutions (CRs) and omnibus spending bills that kick the can down the road by adopting only set levels of funding — providing no oversight over the worthiness of program spending, nor prioritizing spending according to our country's needs."
Hultgren said the "governing by crisis" or "governing by neglect" has resulted in hundreds of temporary programs that are funded past their use.
He suggested a biennial budgeting process, which would require budget frameworks to last for two years rather than one. This will give Congress one year to determine national priorities and pass a budget.
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