Budget Reform Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-280
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2013-02-12
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations

Budget deficits and national debt

Budget process

Congressional committees

Congressional oversight

House of Representatives

Legislative rules and procedure

Performance measurement

Senate
Latest action: action_date: 2013-02-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-02-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Budget Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require joint budget resolutions signed by the President instead of the concurrent resolutions now required (which do not have to be signed by the President). Revises accordingly the congressional procedures for considering budget resolutions.</p> <p>Prescribes procedures for: (1) expedited consideration in each chamber of a presidential veto of a joint budget resolution; and (2) revision of a joint budget resolution already enacted.</p> <p>Makes specified provisional continuing appropriations in the event that any regular appropriation bill for each fiscal year in a biennium does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. (Thus prevents federal government shutdown.)</p> <p>Requires biennial budget resolutions, appropriations Acts, and government strategic and performance plans instead of annual ones.</p>

tv_txt: II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 280 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 12, 2013 Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Portman , Mr. Chambliss , and Mr. Vitter ) 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.

1. Short title and table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Budget Reform Act of 2013 . (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. I Joint budget resolution 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; . 102. Timetable Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows: 300. Timetable 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 submits budget Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. 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. . 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. . 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: 316. Expedited Procedures Upon Veto of Joint Resolution on the Budget (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. . 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: 304. Permissible Revisions of Budget Resolutions 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. . 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: 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. . II Biennial Budget 201. Effective date The provisions of this title shall take effect on January 1 of the calendar year after the year of the enactment of this Act. 202. Revision of timetable Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 631 ) is amended to read as follows: 300. Timetable (a) In General Except as provided by subsection (b), the timetable with respect to the congressional budget process for any Congress (beginning with the 113th 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 submission Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. 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 submits budget review Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. 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. . 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 . 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 . 205. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriation Acts Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 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)). . 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: 318. Multiyear authorizations of appropriations (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. . 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, 2013 ; (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, 2013, shall be updated and revised by September 30, 2014 ; 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, 2013, 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 2014, 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, 2013 ; (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, 2013, shall be updated and revised by September 30, 2014 ; (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, 2013, 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. . 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) . 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.