I would propose that we create a system by which states could insure themselves against natural disasters and that the bulk of monies need to address such problems come from that fund. But the biggest problem with the budget and appropriations process is not actually in the House. The Senate has permitted far to much latitude to its members to inject any issue they choose into any legislative vehicle. This is much of what is wrong with the ability of Congress to enact authorizations. As a result the only process that is left to the Senate for the attachment of extraneous riders is the appropriations process and that practice is on the verge of sinking the appropriations process as well.
Appropriation bills take forever to be considered.
The rules are such that the Senate is not able to proceed unless every single Senator agrees. Routine decisions about proceeding with a budget that a majority of Senators support cannot be made unless 60 or more Senators concur. The way to resolve this mess is not to abandon our Constitutional responsibility for controlling the purse strings, the way to resolve this is for the Senate to adopt new rules. Mr. Chairman, It would be a colossal mistake to make institutional changes that have far reaching consequences on our most fundamental constitutional power simply as a smokescreen to cover the real problems that plague this institution. If this committee reports this legislation I think it will be subject to precisely that charge.