U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) introduced a constructive resolution last week to better enforce congressional rules against fiscally irresponsible legislation.
The Budget Enforcement Awareness Resolution would make it harder for House lawmakers to waive budget-related “points of order,” which are prohibitions against certain types of legislation or congressional actions that could worsen the already troubled fiscal outlook.
The Rules Committee routinely waives such points of order, foregoing an opportunity to seriously scrutinize bills that can increase deficits.
Robert L. Bixby, executive director of The Concord Coalition, told Renacci in a recent letter that the congressman’s proposed resolution would provide lawmakers “ with an important new tool to foster serious discussions of fiscal sustainability.”
Bixby noted that Concord “has long called for lawmakers to act as ‘fiscal lookouts’ who warn their colleagues on Capitol Hill of the dangers posed by continued inattention to the growing national debt.”
External links:
Renacci Introduces Resolution to Better Enforce Budget
Points of Order in the Budget Process (Congressional Research Service)
