Sec. 506. Policy statement on Commission on Budget Concepts
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/bill/115/hconres/71/rh/section-506·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Congress finds the following: In 1965, the President’s Commission on Budget Concepts made a series of recommendations that were adopted and continue to provide the foundation for the Federal budget process. Over the ensuing 52 years, the Federal budget process has undergone major transformations, including the following: Congress asserted its Article I power of the purse through the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 in the form of a congressional budget process predicated on the adoption of an annual budget resolution setting forth its priorities independent of the executive branch.
Congress and the President have periodically augmented the President’s budget submission and the budget resolution by establishing statutory budget rules and limits enforced through sequestration. The share of Federal spending that is not controlled through the annual appropriations process has ballooned from 32 percent of total Federal spending in 1967 to 69 percent in 2016. Activities previously considered the exclusive domain of the Federal Government have been fully commercialized, contracted out to the private sector, financed through third party arrangements, or devolved to State and local governments.
Key functions of the Federal Government are now funded through user fees rather than general revenue, often shielding them from congressional control and oversight. The Credit Reform Act of 1990 placed Federal loans and loan guarantees on an accrual basis. Increasing shares of the economy are directed towards compliance with Federal regulations, which are not subject to the limitations applicable to Federal spending. It is the policy of this concurrent resolution on the budget that legislation should be enacted that establishes a Commission on Budget Concepts to review and revise budget concepts and make recommendations to create a more transparent Federal budget process.