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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 44 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 44

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            November 4, 2021

           Received; referred to the Committee on the Budget

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Providing for a joint hearing of the Committees on the Budget of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate to receive a presentation from 
  the Comptroller General of the United States regarding the audited 
              financial statement of the executive branch.

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This resolution may be cited as the ``Fiscal State of the Nation 
Resolution''.

SEC. 2. ANNUAL JOINT HEARING OF BUDGET COMMITTEES TO RECEIVE A 
              PRESENTATION BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 45 days (excluding Saturdays, 
Sundays, and holidays) after the date on which the Secretary of the 
Treasury submits to Congress the audited financial statement required 
under paragraph (1) of section 331(e) of title 31, United States Code, 
on a date agreed upon by the chairs of the Committees on the Budget of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate (hereafter referred to as 
the ``Budget Committees'') and the Comptroller General of the United 
States, the Budget Committees shall hold a joint hearing (hereafter 
referred to as the ``Joint Hearing'') to receive a presentation from 
the Comptroller General reviewing the findings of the audit required 
under paragraph (2) of such section and providing, with respect to the 
information included by the Secretary in the report accompanying such 
audited financial statement, an analysis of the financial position and 
condition of the Federal Government, including financial measures (such 
as the net operating cost, income, budget deficits, or budget 
surpluses) and sustainability measures (such as the long-term fiscal 
projection or social insurance projection) described in such report.
    (b) Presentation of Statement in Accordance With GAO Strategies and 
Means.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall ensure that 
the presentation at the Joint Hearing is made in accordance with the 
Strategies and Means of the Government Accountability Office, so that 
the presentation will provide professional, objective, fact-based, 
nonpartisan, nonideological, fair, and balanced information to the 
members attending the Joint Hearing.
    (c) Rules Applicable to Joint Hearing.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
        (3), the Joint Hearing shall be subject to rules agreed to by 
        the chairs of the Budget Committees.
            (2) Open hearing.--The Joint Hearing shall be open to the 
        public, including to radio, television, and still photography 
        coverage.
            (3) Attendance.--The Joint Hearing shall accommodate non-
        participatory attendance by any Senator and any Member of the 
        House of Representatives, including any Delegate or Resident 
        Commissioner to the Congress.
    (d) Effective Date.--The requirement under subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to any audited

              

 financial statement submitted on or after the date of the enactment of 
this resolution.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 3, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.
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