WASHINGTON–The Concord Coalition Citizens Council urged the House of
Representatives to reject each of the Budget Resolutions scheduled to be voted on today, arguing
that passage of no Congressional Budget Resolution this year would be preferable than any of
these options.
"Moving to a two-year budget process has been discussed for many years. This year’s budget
effort illustrates why that would be a great idea," said Martha Phillips, executive director of the
Coalition.
WASHINGTON–The Concord Coalition Citizens Council urged the House of
Representatives to reject each of the Budget Resolutions scheduled to be voted on today, arguing
that passage of no Congressional Budget Resolution this year would be preferable than any of
these options.
"Moving to a two-year budget process has been discussed for many years. This year’s budget
effort illustrates why that would be a great idea," said Martha Phillips, executive director of the
Coalition.
"Congress need not reopen last year’s successful bipartisan budget agreement," Phillips
explained, because the discretionary spending allocations for defense, non-defense, and violent
crime reduction are already in place. Appropriations Committees are proceeding with their work,
and the biggest new initiative, the transportation bill, has already been sent to the president.
Phillips also said that the budget enforcement rules should not be loosened as two of the
alternatives would do.
"Given that last year’s agreement is likely to produce a string of much needed unified budget
surpluses, and that the budget is still in deficit without counting Social Security, none of the
Budget Resolutions before the House today would be preferable to a de facto two-year budget."
Phillips said. "Why muddy the waters with fights over new tax cuts and spending plans when the
plan everyone agreed to last year will bring us the first unified surplus in 30 years?"
