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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1679 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1679

   To ensure effective control over the Congressional budget process.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 11, 2011

   Mr. Thune introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                referred to the Committee on the Budget

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To ensure effective control over the Congressional budget process.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Budget Reform Act 
of 2011''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
                    TITLE I--JOINT BUDGET RESOLUTION

Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. Timetable.
Sec. 103. Joint resolution on the budget.
Sec. 104. Budget required before spending bills may be considered.
Sec. 105. Amendments to joint resolutions on the budget.
Sec. 106. Continuing appropriations.
                       TITLE II--BIENNIAL BUDGET

Sec. 201. Effective date.
Sec. 202. Revision of timetable.
Sec. 203. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
                            Control Act of 1974.
Sec. 204. Amendments to Rules of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 205. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriation 
                            Acts.
Sec. 206. Multiyear authorizations.
Sec. 207. Government strategic and performance plans on a biennial 
                            basis.
Sec. 208. Biennial appropriation bills.
Sec. 209. Assistance by Federal agencies to standing committees of the 
                            Senate and the House of Representatives.

                    TITLE I--JOINT BUDGET RESOLUTION

SEC. 101. PURPOSES.

    Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2 of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 are amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) to assure effective control over the budgetary 
        process; and
            ``(2) to facilitate the determination of the appropriate 
        level of Federal revenues and expenditures by the Congress and 
        the President;''.

SEC. 102. TIMETABLE.

    Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to 
read as follows:

                              ``timetable

    ``Sec. 300. The timetable with respect to the Congressional budget 
process for any fiscal year is as follows:

                                                 ``First Session
On or before:                             Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................  President submits his budget.
February 15.............................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after President    Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
 submits budget.
April 1.................................  Budget Committees report joint resolution on the budget.
 April 15...............................  Congress completes action on joint resolution on the budget.
June 10.................................  House Appropriations Committee reports last annual appropriation bill.
June 15.................................  Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation.
June 30.................................  House completes action on annual appropriation bills.
October 1...............................  Fiscal year begins.''.
 

SEC. 103. JOINT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET.

    (a) Content of Joint Resolutions on the Budget.--Section 301(a)(4) 
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for 
        nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary 
        spending, Medicare, Medicaid, other direct spending (excluding 
        interest), and interest; and for emergencies (for the reserve 
        fund in section 317(b) and for military operations in section 
        317(C));''.
    (b) Additional Matters in Joint Resolution.--Section 301(b) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
            (1) Strike paragraphs (1), and (6) through (9).
            (2) Redesignate paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) 
        accordingly.
            (3) Amend paragraph (3), as redesignated, to read as 
        follows:
            ``(3) set forth such other matters, and require such other 
        procedures, relating to the budget as may be appropriate to 
        carry out the purposes of the Act, but shall not include a 
        suspension or alteration of the application of the motion to 
        strike a provision as set forth in section 310(d)(2) or 
        (h)(2)(F).''.
    (c) Required Contents of Report.--Section 301(e)(2) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
            (1) Redesignate subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and 
        (F) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (E), (F), (H), and (I), 
        respectively.
            (2) Before subparagraph (B) (as redesignated), insert the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(A) new budget authority and outlays for each 
                major functional category, based on allocations of the 
                total levels set forth pursuant to subsection 
                (a)(1);''.
            (3) In subparagraph (C) (as redesignated), strike 
        ``mandatory'' and insert ``direct spending''.
            (4) After subparagraph (C) (as redesignated), insert the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) a measure, as a percentage of gross domestic 
                product, of total outlays, total Federal revenues, the 
                surplus or deficit, and new outlays for nondefense 
                discretionary spending, defense spending, Medicare, 
                Medicaid and other direct spending as set forth in such 
                resolution;''.
            (5) After subparagraph (F) (as redesignated), insert the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) if the joint resolution on the budget 
                includes any allocation to a committee other than the 
                Committee on Appropriations of levels in excess of 
                current law levels, a justification for not subjecting 
                any program, project, or activity (for which the 
                allocation is made) to annual discretionary 
                appropriations;''.
    (d) Additional Contents of Report.--Section 301(e)(3) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended as follows:
            (1) Redesignate subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs 
        (B) and (C), respectively, strike subparagraphs (C) and (D), 
        and redesignate subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (D) and strike 
        the period and insert ``; and''.
            (2) Before subparagraph (B), insert the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(A) new budget authority and outlays for each 
                major functional category, based on allocations of the 
                total levels set forth pursuant to subsection 
                (a)(1);''.
            (3) At the end, add the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) set forth, if required by subsection (f), the 
                calendar year in which, in the opinion of the Congress, 
                the goals for reducing unemployment set forth in 
                section 4(b) of the Employment Act of 1946 should be 
                achieved.''.
    (e) Budget Presentation.--After section 301(e)(3) add the following 
new paragraph:
            ``(4) Budget format.--In addition to the contents that may 
        be included in the report pursuant to paragraph (3), a 
        presentation of the functional categories may also be included 
        as follows:
                    ``(A) Principal federal obligations.--Activities 
                intrinsic to the Federal Government (including both 
                discretionary and mandatory spending) as follows:
                            ``(i) National defense;
                            ``(ii) International affairs;
                            ``(iii) Veterans benefits and services; and
                            ``(iv) Administration of justice.
                    ``(B) Federally supported domestic priorities.--The 
                total domestic discretionary spending levels as 
                follows:
                            ``(i) Total domestic discretionary 
                        spending.
                            ``(ii) Optional inclusion of additional 
                        specific recommended levels.
                    ``(C) Major domestic entitlements.--Major domestic 
                direct spending programs as follows:
                            ``(i) Medicare.
                            ``(ii) Medicaid.
                            ``(iii) Other direct spending.
                            ``(iv) Optional inclusion of additional 
                        specific recommended levels.
                    ``(D) General government and financial 
                management.--Funding for financing government 
                operations as follows:
                            ``(i) General government.
                            ``(ii) Net interest.
                            ``(iii) Allowances.
                            ``(iv) Offsetting receipts.''.
    (f) President's Budget Submission to Congress.--(1) The first two 
sentences of section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, are 
amended to read as follows: ``On or after the first Monday in January 
but not later than the first Monday in February of each year the 
President shall submit a budget of the United States Government for the 
following fiscal year which shall set forth the following levels:
            ``(A) Totals of new budget authority and outlays.
            ``(B) Total Federal revenues and the amount, if any, by 
        which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be 
        increased or decreased by bills and resolutions to be reported 
        by the appropriate committees.
            ``(C) The surplus or deficit in the budget.
            ``(D) Subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for 
        nondefense discretionary spending, defense discretionary 
        spending, direct spending (excluding interest), and interest, 
        and for emergencies (for the reserve fund in section 317(b) and 
        for military operations in section 317(c)).
            ``(E) The public debt.
Each budget submission shall include a budget message and summary and 
supporting information and, as a separately delineated statement, the 
levels requires in the preceding sentence for at least each of the 4 
ensuing fiscal years.''.
    (2) The third sentence of section 1105(a) of title 31, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ``submission'' after ``budget''.
    (g) Limitation on the Content of Budget Resolutions.--Section 305 
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Limitation on Contents.--(1) It shall not be in order in the 
House of Representatives or in the Senate to consider any joint 
resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto or conference report 
thereon that contains any matter referred to in paragraph (2).
    ``(2) Any joint resolution on the budget or any amendment thereto 
or conference report thereon that contains any matter not permitted in 
section 301 (a) or (b) shall not be treated in the House of 
Representatives or the Senate as a budget resolution under subsection 
(a) or (b) or as a conference report on a budget resolution under 
subsection (c) of this section.''.

SEC. 104. BUDGET REQUIRED BEFORE SPENDING BILLS MAY BE CONSIDERED.

    (a) Amendments to Section 302.--Section 302 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (5); and
            (2) in subsection (f)(1)(A), by striking ``as reported''.
    (b) Amendments to Section 303 and Conforming Amendments.--(1) 
Section 303 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by 
striking ``(a) In General.--'', by striking ``has been agreed to'' and 
inserting ``takes effect in subsection (a)'', and by striking 
subsections (b) and (c); and
    (2) by striking its section heading and inserting the following new 
section heading: ``consideration of budget-related legislation before 
budget becomes law''.
    (c) Expedited Procedures Upon Veto of Joint Resolution on the 
Budget.--(1) Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is 
amended by adding after section 315 the following new section:

   ``expedited procedures upon veto of joint resolution on the budget

    ``Sec. 316.  (a) Special Rule.--If the President vetoes a joint 
resolution on the budget for a fiscal year, the majority leader of the 
House of Representatives or Senate (or his designee) shall introduce a 
concurrent resolution on the budget or joint resolution on the budget 
for such fiscal year. If the Committee on the Budget of either House 
fails to report such concurrent or joint resolution referred to it 
within five calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal 
holidays except when that House of Congress is in session) after the 
date of such referral, the committee shall be automatically discharged 
from further consideration of such resolution and such resolution shall 
be placed on the appropriate calendar.
    ``(b) Procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate.--
            ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions 
        of section 305 for the consideration in the House of 
        Representatives and in the Senate of joint resolutions on the 
        budget and conference reports thereon shall also apply to the 
        consideration of concurrent resolutions on the budget 
        introduced under subsection (a) and conference reports thereon.
            ``(2) Debate in the Senate on any concurrent resolution on 
        the budget or joint resolution on the budget introduced under 
        subsection (a), and all amendments thereto and debatable 
        motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited 
        to not more than 10 hours and in the House of Representatives 
        such debate shall be limited to not more than 3 hours.
    ``(c) Contents of Concurrent Resolutions.--Any concurrent 
resolution on the budget introduced under subsection (a) shall be in 
compliance with section 301.
    ``(d) Effect of Concurrent Resolution on the Budget.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, whenever a 
concurrent resolution on the budget described in subsection (a) is 
agreed to, then the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation 
directives (if any) contained in the report accompanying such 
concurrent resolution or in such concurrent resolution shall be 
considered to be the aggregates, allocations, and reconciliation 
directives for all purposes of sections 302, 303, and 311 for the 
applicable fiscal years and such concurrent resolution shall be deemed 
to be a joint resolution for all purposes of this title and the Rules 
of the House of Representatives and any reference to the date of 
enactment of a joint resolution on the budget shall be deemed to be a 
reference to the date agreed to when applied to such concurrent 
resolution.''.
    (2) The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the 
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following new 
item:

``Sec. 316. Expedited procedures upon veto of joint resolution on the 
                            budget.''.

SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS TO JOINT RESOLUTIONS ON THE BUDGET.

    (a) Definition.--Paragraph (4) of section 3 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) the term `joint resolution on the budget' means--
                    ``(A) a joint resolution setting forth the budget 
                for the United States Government for a fiscal year as 
                provided in section 301; and
                    ``(B) any other joint resolution revising the 
                budget for the United States Government for a fiscal 
                year as described in section 304.''.
    (b) Additional Amendments to the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974.--(1)(A) Sections 301, 302, 303, 305, 
308, 310, 311, 312, 314, 405, and 904 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) are amended by striking ``concurrent'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``joint''.
    (B) Section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is further 
amended by striking the last sentence.
    (C)(i) Sections 302(d), 302(g), 308(a)(1)(A), and 310(d)(1) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 are amended by striking ``most 
recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget'' each place it 
occurs and inserting ``most recently enacted joint resolution on the 
budget or agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget (as 
applicable)''.
    (ii) The section heading of section 301 is amended by striking 
``annual adoption of concurrent resolution'' and inserting ``joint 
resolutions''; and
    (iii) Section 304 of such Act is amended to read as follows:

             ``permissible revisions of budget resolutions

    ``Sec. 304. At any time after the joint resolution on the budget 
for a fiscal year has been enacted pursuant to section 301, and before 
the end of such fiscal year, the two Houses and the President may enact 
a joint resolution on the budget which revises or reaffirms the joint 
resolution on the budget for such fiscal year most recently enacted, 
and for purposes of the enforcement of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, the chairman of the Budget Committee of the House of 
Representatives or the Senate, as applicable, may adjust levels as 
needed for the enforcement off of the budget resolution.''.
    (D) Sections 302, 303, 310, and 311, of such Act are amended by 
striking ``agreed to'' each place it appears and by inserting 
``enacted''.
    (2)(A) Paragraph (4) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by striking ``concurrent'' 
each place it appears and by inserting ``joint''.
    (B) The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of such Act is 
amended--
            (i) in the item relating to section 301, by striking 
        ``Annual adoption of concurrent resolution'' and inserting 
        ``Joint resolutions'';
            (ii) by striking the item relating to section 303 and 
        inserting the following:

``Sec. 303. Consideration of budget-related legislation before budget 
                            becomes law.'';
        and
            (iii) by striking ``concurrent'' and inserting ``joint'' in 
        the item relating to section 305.
    (c) Conforming Amendments to the Rules of the House of 
Representatives.--Clauses 1(d)(1), 4(a)(4), 4(b)(2), 4(f)(1)(A), and 
4(f)(2) of rule X, clause 10 of rule XVIII, clause 10 of rule XX, and 
clauses 7 and 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives are amended by striking ``concurrent'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``joint''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments to the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985.--Section 258C(b)(1) of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907d(b)(1)) is 
amended by striking ``concurrent'' and inserting ``joint''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments to Section 310 Regarding Reconciliation 
Directives.--(1) The side heading of section 310(a) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (as amended by section 105(b)) is 
further amended by inserting ``Joint Explanatory Statement Accompanying 
Conference Report on'' before ``Joint''.
    (2) Section 310(a) of such Act is amended by striking ``A'' and 
inserting ``The joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference 
report on a''.
    (3) The first sentence of section 310(b) of such Act is amended by 
striking ``If'' and inserting ``If the joint explanatory statement 
accompanying the conference report on''.
    (4) Section 310(c)(1) of such Act is amended by inserting ``the 
joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on'' 
after ``pursuant to''.
    (f) Conforming Amendments to Section 3 Regarding Direct Spending.--
Section 3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 
1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(11) The term `direct spending' has the meaning given to 
        such term in section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and 
        Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.''.

SEC. 106. CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section:
``Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations
    ``(a)(1) If any regular appropriation bill for each fiscal year in 
a biennium does not become law before the beginning of such biennium or 
a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect, 
there are appropriated for the 2 years of the biennium, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable 
corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, excluding any budget 
authority designated as an emergency or temporary funding for projects 
or activities that are not part of ongoing operations, such sums as may 
be necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were 
provided in the preceding fiscal year--
            ``(A) for defense, veterans, and homeland security 
        spending--
                    ``(i) in the corresponding regular appropriation 
                Act for such preceding fiscal year; or
                    ``(ii) if the corresponding regular appropriation 
                bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law, 
                then in a joint resolution making continuing 
                appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; and
            ``(B) for spending not described in subparagraph (A), total 
        level allowable for the appropriate accounts under section 251 
        of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control of Act of 
        1985 in the same proportion of funding that such accounts 
        received the preceding fiscal year.
    ``(2) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority 
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this 
section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower 
of--
            ``(A) the rate of operations provided for in the regular 
        appropriation Act providing for such project or activity for 
        the preceding fiscal year;
            ``(B) in the absence of such an Act, the rate of operations 
        provided for such project or activity pursuant to a joint 
        resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding 
        fiscal year;
            ``(C) the rate of operations provided for in the regular 
        appropriation bill as passed by the House of Representatives or 
        the Senate for the fiscal year in question, except that the 
        lower of these two versions shall be ignored for any project or 
        activity for which there is a budget request if no funding is 
        provided for that project or activity in either version; or
            ``(D) the annualized rate of operations provided for in the 
        most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing 
        appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding 
        levels established under the provisions of this Act.
    ``(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority 
granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a project or 
activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day 
of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of--
            ``(A) the date on which the applicable regular 
        appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or 
        not such law provides for such project or activity) or a 
        continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the 
        case may be; or
            ``(B) the last day of such fiscal year.
    ``(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority 
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this 
section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with 
respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the 
preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such project or 
activity under current law.
    ``(c) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority 
granted, for any project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to 
this section shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for 
such project or activity during the portion of such fiscal year for 
which this section applies to such project or activity.
    ``(d) Expenditures made for a project or activity for any fiscal 
year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable 
appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation 
bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the 
end of a fiscal year providing for such project or activity for such 
period becomes law.
    ``(e) This section shall not apply to a project or activity during 
a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an 
authorization of appropriations)--
            ``(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or 
        grants authority for such project or activity to continue for 
        such period; or
            ``(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be 
        made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall 
        be granted for such project or activity to continue for such 
        period.
    ``(f) For purposes of this section, the term `regular appropriation 
bill' means any annual appropriation bill making appropriations, 
otherwise making funds available, or granting authority, for any of the 
following categories of projects and activities:
            ``(1) Agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug 
        Administration, and related agencies programs.
            ``(2) The Department of Defense.
            ``(3) Energy and water development, and related agencies.
            ``(4) State, foreign operations, and related programs.
            ``(5) The Department of Homeland Security.
            ``(6) The Department of the Interior, Environmental 
        Protection Agency, and related agencies.
            ``(7) The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, 
        and Education, and related agencies.
            ``(8) Military construction, veterans affairs, and related 
        agencies.
            ``(9) Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and 
        Commerce, and related agencies.
            ``(10) The Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban 
        Development, and related agencies.
            ``(11) The Legislative Branch.
            ``(12) Financial services and general government.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 13 of title 31, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 1310 the following new item:

``1311. Continuing appropriations.''.

                       TITLE II--BIENNIAL BUDGET

SEC. 201. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The provisions of this subtitle shall take effect on January 1 of 
the calendar year after the year of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 202. 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 Twelfth Congress or a 
subsequent Congress, as applicable) is as follows:

                                                 ``First Session
On or before:                             Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................  President submits budget recommendations.
February 15.............................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after budget       Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
 submission.
April 1.................................  Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget.
May 15..................................  Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget.
May 15..................................  Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of
                                           Representatives.
June 10.................................  House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation
                                           bill.
June 30.................................  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 President    Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
 submits budget review.
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 following dates shall 
supersede those set forth in subsection (a):

                                                 ``First Session
On or before:                             Action to be completed:
First Monday in April...................  President submits budget recommendations.
April 20................................  Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
May 15..................................  Budget Committees report joint resolution on the biennial budget.
June 1..................................  Congress completes action on joint resolution on the biennial budget.
June 1..................................  Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House of
                                           Representatives.
July 1..................................  House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial appropriation
                                           bill.
July 20.................................  House completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1...............................  Biennium begins.''.
 

SEC. 203. 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) (as 
        amended by section 113(a)) is further amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
            ``(13) The term `biennium' means the period of 2 
        consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-
        numbered year.''.
    (c) Biennial Joint 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'';
                            (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''; and
                            (iv) striking ``each of the four ensuing 
                        fiscal years'' and inserting ``each fiscal year 
                        in the next 2 bienniums'';
                    (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 joint 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 (f)(1), by striking ``for a fiscal year'' 
        and inserting ``for a biennium'';
            (3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``first fiscal year'' 
        and inserting ``either fiscal year of the biennium'';
            (4) 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
            (5) in subsection (g)(1)(A), by striking ``April'' and 
        inserting ``May''.
    (e) Section 303 Point of Order.--Section 303 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''.
    (f) Permissible Revisions of Joint 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), July 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) 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''.
    (j) 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).
    (k) Section 311 Point of Order.--
            (1) In the house of representatives.--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''.
    (l) 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''.

SEC. 204. AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF THE 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, 
        including holding hearings to receive testimony from committees 
        of jurisdiction to identify problem areas and to report on the 
        results of oversight; and by January 1 of each odd-number year, 
        issuing a report to the Speaker which identifies the key issues 
        facing the Congress in the next biennium.''.
    (e) 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''.
    (f) 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 
        ``submits his budget'';
            (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''.
    (g) 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''.
    (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 calendar year in which such biennium begins''.

SEC. 205. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATION 
              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(13) of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(13)).''.

SEC. 206. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
(as amended by section 115(a)) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

              ``multiyear authorizations of appropriations

    ``Sec. 318.  (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)(1) For purposes of this section, 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) Subsection (a) 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.'.
    ``(c) For purposes of this section, 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 317 the following new item:

``Sec. 318. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations.''.

SEC. 207. 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, 2010'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``at least every three years'' and 
                all that follows thereafter and inserting ``at least 
                every 4 years, except that strategic plans submitted by 
                September 30, 2010, shall be updated and revised by 
                September 30, 2012''; 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, 2010, 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 2012, 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 (g) 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 ``annual''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``section 1105(a)(29)'' and 
                inserting ``section 1105(a)(28)'';
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the first sentence by striking ``one or'' 
                before ``two 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) 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, 2010'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``at least every three 
        years'' and inserting ``at least every 4 years except that 
        strategic plans submitted by September 30, 2010, shall be 
        updated and revised by September 30, 2013'';
            (3) in subsection (b), 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, 2010, 
        meeting the requirements of subsection (a)''.
    (f) 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.''.
    (g) 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.''.
    (h) Program Formulas in Performance Plans.--Section 1115(b) of 
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following:
            ``(11) a description of the formulas used for the program 
        and program funding decisions including the criteria and 
        factors used and the weight given to each of these factors.''.

SEC. 208. BIENNIAL APPROPRIATION BILLS.

    (a) In the House of Representatives.--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.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--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)''.

SEC. 209. 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 30 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 6 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.
                                 <all>
```