[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 252 Introduced in House (IH)]
104th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 252
To improve the operations of the legislative branch of the Federal
Government, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 1995
Mr. Hamilton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Rules, and, in addition, to the Committees on Government
Reform and Oversight, House Oversight, and Budget, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdication of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the operations of the legislative branch of the Federal
Government, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1995''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Rulemaking power of Senate and House.
TITLE I--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Sec. 101. Scheduling.
Sec. 102. Committee reports.
Sec. 103. Notice of jurisdictional violations.
Sec. 104. Independent investigations and factfinding for ethics
investigations.
Sec. 105. Use of independent factfinders by the Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct.
Sec. 106. Staff training.
Sec. 107. Availability of legislative information.
Sec. 108. Public understanding of Congress.
Sec. 109. House-senate staff salary parity.
Sec. 110. Expansion of unauthorized appropriations points of order.
Sec. 111. Recodification of Rules of the House of Representatives.
TITLE II--SENATE
TITLE III--JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE MATTERS
Subtitle A--Congressional Budget Process
Chapter I--Biennial Budgeting
Sec. 301. Revision of timetable.
Sec. 302. Amendments to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974.
Sec. 303. Amendments to title 31, United States Code.
Sec. 304. Two-year appropriations; title and style of appropriations
Acts.
Sec. 305. Conforming amendments to Rules of House of Representatives.
Sec. 306. Multiyear authorizations.
Chapter 2--Additional Budget Process Changes
Sec. 321. CBO reports to budget committees.
Sec. 322. GNP budget analysis; fiscal and budget policy reports.
Sec. 323. Government-wide review.
Sec. 324. Content of budget resolutions.
Chapter 3--Effective Date
Sec. 331. Effective date; application.
Subtitle B--Staffing and Instrumentalities
Sec. 341. Authorization and funding of certain congressional
instrumentalities.
Sec. 342. Coordination of legislative branch services.
Sec. 343. Competitive bidding for legislative branch services and
facilities.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
Sec. 351. Sunset agency reporting requirements.
Sec. 352. Joint Committee on Information Management.
Subtitle D--Budget Control
Sec. 361. Short title; purpose.
Sec. 362. Establishment of direct spending targets.
Sec. 363. Annual review of direct spending and receipts by president.
Sec. 364. Special direct spending message by President.
Sec. 365. Required response by Congress.
Sec. 366. Adjustments to direct spending targets.
Sec. 367. Relationship to Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985.
Sec. 368. Estimating margin.
Sec. 369. Consideration of appropriation bills.
Sec. 370. Means-tested programs.
Sec. 371. Effective date.
SEC. 2. RULEMAKING POWER OF SENATE AND HOUSE.
The provisions of this Act (as applicable) are enacted by the
Congress--
(1) insofar as applicable to the House of Representatives,
as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of
Representatives, subject to and with full recognition of the
power of the House of Representatives to enact or change any
rule of the House at any time in its exercise of its
constitutional right to determine the rules of its proceedings;
and
(2) insofar as applicable to the Senate, as an exercise of
the rulemaking power of the Senate and, to the extent so
applicable, those sections are deemed a part of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, superseding other individual rules of the
Senate only to the extent that those sections are inconsistent
with those other individual Senate rules, subject to and with
full recognition of the power of the Senate to enact or change
any rule of the Senate at any time in its exercise of its
constitutional right to determine the rules of its proceedings.
TITLE I--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEC. 101. SCHEDULING.
(a) Legislative Activities of the House.--It is the sense of the
House of Representatives that there should be established a schedule of
legislative activities of the House that--
(1) provides for 4 full days of legislative business per
week while the House is in session;
(2) sets aside specific periods exclusively for floor
proceedings and exclusively for committee meetings and
hearings;
(3) rationalizes the scheduling of committee and
subcommittee meetings and hearings to minimize scheduling
conflicts; and
(4) encourages the use of computerized scheduling to
minimize such conflicts and requires that the House Information
Systems provide training to committee and subcommittee staff on
the use of computerized scheduling.
(b) Notification of Committee and Subcommittee Meetings and
Hearings.--Clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended--
(1) in the first sentence by striking ``committee hearing''
and inserting ``committee or subcommittee meeting or hearing'';
(2) in the first sentence by inserting ``meeting or''
before ``hearing.''; and
(3) in the second sentence by inserting ``meeting or''
before ``hearing''.
SEC. 102. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
``Clause 3 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
is amended to read as follows:
``3. A report from any committee accompanying any bill authorizing
or providing obligational authority or tax expenditures (as defined by
section 3(3) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974), or the joint
explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on any bill
authorizing or providing obligational authority or tax expenditures
shall contain a concise statement--
``(1) describing fully the effect of any provision of the
accompanying bill or conference report which directly or
indirectly changes the application of existing laws; and
``(2) in a separate, clearly identifiable part of the
report or joint explanatory statement, list each item in the
accompanying bill (or that report) or conference report (or
that joint explanatory statement) that earmarks the required
use of funds below the appropriation account level or provides
a specific tax expenditure.''.
SEC. 103. NOTICE OF JURISDICTIONAL VIOLATIONS.
Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by
adding at the end the following new clause:
``8. (a) Whenever the Committee on Appropriations orders reported
any general appropriation bill which includes any provision in
violation of clause 2 or 6 and within the jurisdiction of any other
standing committee, it shall immediately notify that committee.
``(b) Whenever any other committee of the House orders reported any
bill or resolution, or amendment thereto, carrying an appropriation
from a committee not having jurisdiction to report appropriations in
violation of clause 5, that committee shall immediately notify the
Committee on Appropriations.
``(c) The Committee on Appropriations shall deliver copies of
appropriation bills as passed the House with numbered Senate amendments
to the appropriate authorizing committees at least 24 hours before
requesting appointment of conferees thereon unless the Speaker
determines otherwise. The Committee on Appropriations shall, upon the
filing of a conference report on an appropriation measure, deliver
copies of the conference report and accompanying joint explanatory
statement to the appropriate authorizing committees at least 24 hours
before floor action thereon unless the Speaker determines otherwise.''.
SEC. 104. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND FACTFINDING FOR ETHICS
INVESTIGATIONS.
(a) Appointment of Independent Panel.--(1) The Speaker and the
minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint jointly
20 independent factfinders at the beginning of each Congress to carry
out investigations on behalf of the House of Representatives as
required by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Independent
factfinders appointed under this section may include former Members of
Congress, former officers or employees of the Congress, or other
private citizens.
(2) No individual who engages in, or is otherwise employed in,
lobbying of the Congress and who is required under the Federal
Regulation of Lobbying Act to register with the Clerk of the House of
Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate shall be considered
eligible for appointment as an independent factfinder under this
subsection.
(b) Compensation of Factfinders.--
(1) In general.--Each independent factfinder shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States
Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the
independent factfinder is engaged in the performance of his or
her duties under this section.
(2) Travel expenses.--Each independent factfinder shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from his or her home or regular place of
business in the performance of his or her duties under this
section.
SEC. 105. USE OF INDEPENDENT FACTFINDERS BY THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS
OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT.
The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of
Representatives shall adopt rules--
(1) allowing the committee to decide whether to use, on a
case-by-case basis, 4 or 6 independent factfinders appointed in
lieu of a 4- or 6-member investigative subcommittee whenever
the committee votes to conduct a preliminary inquiry;
(2) providing for the joint selection of 4 or 6 independent
factfinders by the chairman and ranking minority party member
from the pool of 20 independent factfinders appointed pursuant
to section 107(a);
(3) providing that whenever independent factfinders are
used in lieu of a 4- or 6-member investigative subcommittee--
(A) upon completion of an investigation, the
independent factfinders shall report their findings of
fact and recommendations, if any, to the committee;
(B) if the independent factfinders, by majority
vote, adopt a statement of alleged violation, the
entire committee shall be deemed to be an adjudicatory
subcommittee and be governed by the rules adopted by
the committee to carry out section 803(d) of the Ethics
Reform Act of 1989;
(4) providing that independent factfinders conducting an
investigation pursuant to this subsection shall have the same
power to investigate as vested in the investigative
subcommittee, subject to the approval of the chairman and
ranking minority party member; and
(5) providing that the staff of the committee shall assist
the independent factfinders in carrying out their
responsibilities.
SEC. 106. STAFF TRAINING.
It is the sense of the House that the Committee on House Oversight
should review the training and orientation programs currently available
for the personal, committee, and administrative staff of the House,
evaluate their overall effectiveness and utility, and develop,
administer, and coordinate a comprehensive training program for House
staff employees to enhance their subject expertise, skills, and
knowledge so they can better assist the House of Representatives in the
discharge of its responsibilities.
SEC. 107. AVAILABILITY OF LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION.
It is the sense of the House that--
(1) the 3-day layover requirement for committee reports on
legislation and on conference reports may not be waived unless
the legislation and any accompanying committee report or
conference report have been available to each Member for at
least 24 hours prior to its consideration on the House floor;
(2) an amendment to a bill to be considered under
suspension of the rules should be printed and available to each
Member for at least 24 hours prior to its consideration;
(3) committees and conference committees should endeavor to
file reports on word processing computer disks to facilitate
availability to Members;
(4) an internal cable system, a cable channel, or party
specific channels should be developed to provide Members with
summaries of the pending legislation and should be available to
Members in their offices, committee hearing rooms, and in the
cloakrooms;
(5) the full text of bills, amendments, reports,
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates, General Accounting
Office reports, Office of Technology Assessment reports,
Congressional Research Service reports and Issue Briefs, the
Code of Federal Regulations, the annotated Code of Federal
Regulations, the Congressional Record, and the Federal Register
should be made available to all Members and congressional staff
via computer no later than the beginning of the 105th Congress;
and
(6) appropriate legislative information referred to under
paragraph (5) should also be made available to the public and
the Depository Libraries through a low-cost computer
connection.
SEC. 108. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of the House of Representatives that steps should
be taken to improve the public's understanding of Congress and the
legislative process by--
(1) enhancing floor debate on major national issues and
improving the deliberative process on the floor of the House
by, for example, implementing Oxford Union-style debates and
related innovations;
(2) endorsing the efforts of the United States Capitol
Preservation Commission to raise private funds for the creation
of a congressional education center;
(3) creating a central information telephone line to enable
citizens to find out such information as the daily floor
schedule, committee schedules, bill status information, issue
summaries, newly released reports, how to access on-line
information, and visitor information;
(4) encouraging civic education programs to better inform
students, teachers, and citizens in general about the
legislative process; and
(5) encouraging the media galleries to orient new
journalists to the galleries and the Capitol and to set up
parliamentary procedure orientations through the Congressional
Research Service or some other entity.
SEC. 109. HOUSE-SENATE STAFF SALARY PARITY.
It is the sense of the House that the Committee on House Oversight
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, in
consultation with the Committee on Rules and Administration and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, should conduct a study of
the salary ranges of House and Senate personal, committee, and
administrative staff with a view toward achieving bicameral salary
parity for House and Senate staff performing analogous functions.
SEC. 110. EXPANSION OF UNAUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS POINTS OF ORDER.
Clause 2(a) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``It shall not be in order to consider any provision of a
general appropriation bill (except a conference report) that would
exceed any applicable authorization level as set forth in any
authorization measure as passed by the House.''.
SEC. 111. RECODIFICATION OF RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Parliamentarian of the House of Representatives shall, at the
beginning of the 105th Congress, commence to recodify the Rules of the
House of Representatives by clarifying conflicting definitions,
eliminating anachronisms, and reorganizing the rules into a more
coherent and logical structure. Such recodification shall be completed
prior to the commencement of the 106th Congress. For the purpose of
carrying out the recodification, the Parliamentarian may utilize the
services of personnel in the Congressional Research Service and the
Government Printing Office.
TITLE II--SENATE
[Language to be supplied.]
TITLE III--JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE MATTERS
Subtitle A--Congressional Budget Process
CHAPTER I--BIENNIAL BUDGETING
SEC. 301. 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 Fifth Congress) 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.
Within 6 weeks after budget submission...... Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
April 1..................................... Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the biennial
budget.
April 15.................................... Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the
biennial budget.
May 15...................................... Biennial appropriation bills may be considered in the House.
June 10..................................... House Appropriations Committee reports last biennial
appropriation bill.
June 15..................................... Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation.
June 30..................................... Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills.
October 1................................... Biennium begins.
``Second Session
``On or before: Action to be completed:
May 15...................................... Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
The last day of the session................. Congress completes action on bills and resolutions authorizing a
new budget authority for the succeeding biennium.
``(b) Special Rule.--In the case of any session of Congress that
begins in any year immediately following a leap year and 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):
``(1) First Monday in April, President submits budget
recommendations.
``(2) April 20, committees submit views and estimates to
Budget Committees.
``(3) May 15, Budget Committees report concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget.
``(4) June 1, Congress completes action on concurrent
resolution on the biennial budget.
``(5) July 1, biennial appropriation bills may be
considered in the House.
``(6) July 20, House Appropriations Committee reports last
biennial appropriation bill.''.
SEC. 302. 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) 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) Section 3 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 622) is further amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-
numbered year.''.
(c) Biennial Concurrent Resolution on the Budget.--
(1) Section 301(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(a)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``April 15 of each year'' and
inserting ``April 15 of each odd-numbered year'';
(B) by 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'';
(C) by striking ``the fiscal year beginning on
October 1 of such year'' the second place it appears
and inserting ``each fiscal year in such period'';
(D) by striking ``and planning levels for each of
the 2 ensuing fiscal years'' and inserting ``and the
appropriate levels for each of the 3 ensuing fiscal
years'';
(E) in paragraph (6) by striking ``for the fiscal
year of the resolution and for each of the 4'' and
inserting ``for the biennium of the resolution and each
of the 3''; and
(F) in paragraph (7) by striking ``for the fiscal
year of the resolution and for each of the 4'' and
inserting ``for the biennium of the resolution and each
of the 3''.
(2) Section 301(b) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(b)) is
amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
inserting ``for a biennium'' after ``concurrent
resolution on the budget''; and
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``for such fiscal
year'' and inserting ``for either fiscal year in such
biennium''.
(3) 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) Section 301(e) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 632(e)) is
amended--
(A) in the first sentence by striking ``fiscal
year'' and inserting ``biennium'';
(B) by inserting between the second and third
sentences the following new sentence: ``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
concurrent resolution on the budget referred to in
subsection (a) for the biennium beginning on October 1
of that year.'';
(C) in paragraph (6) by striking ``such fiscal
year,'' and inserting ``the first fiscal year of such
biennium,''; and
(D) in paragraph (10) by striking ``the fiscal year
covered'' and inserting ``the biennium covered''.
(5) 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) 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) The section heading of section 301 of such Act is
amended by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``biennial''.
(8) The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of such
Act is amended by striking ``Annual'' in the item relating to
section 301 and inserting ``Biennial''.
(d) Section 302 Committee Allocations.--Section 302(a)(2) of such
Act (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year of the
resolution and for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years'' and
inserting ``the biennium of the resolution and each of the 3 succeeding
fiscal years''.
(e) Section 303 Point of Order.--
(1) Section 303(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 634(a)) is amended
by striking ``fiscal year'' each place it appears and inserting
``biennium''.
(2) Section 303(b) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 634(b)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1)
by striking ``the fiscal year'' each place it appears
and inserting ``biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``any calendar
year'' and inserting ``any odd-numbered calendar year
(or, if applicable, as provided by section 300(b))'';
and
(C) by striking paragraph (2), striking ``(1)'',
and redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
(f) Permissible Revisions of Concurrent Resolutions on the
Budget.--Section 304(a) 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) Reports and Summaries of Congressional Budget Actions.--Section
308(a)(1)(A) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 639(a)(1)) is amended by striking
``fiscal year (or fiscal years)'' and inserting ``biennium''.
(i) Completion of Action on Regular Appropriation Bills.--Section
309 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 640) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``of any odd-numbered calendar year''
after ``July'';
(2) by striking ``annual'' and inserting ``regular''; and
(3) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium''.
(j) Reconciliation Process.--
(1) Section 310(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 641(a)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``any fiscal year'' in the matter
preceding paragraph (1) and inserting ``any biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``such fiscal
year'' each place it appears and inserting ``each
fiscal year in such biennium''; and
(C) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``for each fiscal
year in such biennium'' after ``revenues''.
(2) Section 310(f) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 641(f)) is amended
by striking ``for such fiscal year'' and inserting ``for such
biennium''.
(k) Section 311 Point of Order.--
(1)(A) Section 311(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 642(a)) is
amended--
(i) by striking ``for a fiscal year'' and inserting
``for a biennium'';
(ii) by striking ``such fiscal year'' the first
place it appears and inserting ``either fiscal year in
such biennium'';
(iii) by striking ``during such fiscal year'' and
inserting ``during either fiscal year in such
biennium'';
(iv) by striking ``revenues for such fiscal year''
and inserting ``revenues for a fiscal year''; and
(v) by striking ``budget for such fiscal year'' and
inserting ``budget for either fiscal year in such
biennium''.
(B) Section 311(a)(2)(A) of such Act is amended--
(i) by striking ``for the first'' and inserting
``for either'';
(ii) by striking ``covering such fiscal year'' and
inserting ``covering such biennium'';
(iii) by striking ``the first fiscal year covered''
and inserting ``either fiscal year in such biennium
covered'';
(iv) by striking ``the first fiscal year plus'' and
inserting ``the biennium plus''; and
(v) by striking ``4 fiscal years'' and inserting
``3 fiscal years''.
(2) Section 311(b) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 642(b)) is amended
by striking ``such fiscal year'' the second place it appears
and inserting ``either fiscal year in such biennium''.
(l) Bills Providing New Spending Authority.--Section 401(b)(2) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 651(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``for such fiscal
year'' the second place it appears and inserting ``for the biennium in
which such fiscal year occurs''.
(m) Date of Adjusting Allocations.--Section 603(a) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 665b) is amended by inserting after ``April 15'' the following
``(or if section 300(b) applies by June 15th)''.
SEC. 303. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Definition.--Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
``(3) `biennium' has the meaning given to such term in
paragraph (12) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)).''.
(b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress.--
(1) So much of section 1105(a) of title 31, United States
Code, as precedes paragraph (1) thereof is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) On or before the first Monday in February of each odd-
numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by section 300(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974), beginning with the One Hundred Fifth
Congress, the President shall transmit to the Congress, the budget for
the biennium beginning on October 1 of such calendar year. The budget
transmitted under this subsection shall include a budget message and
summary and supporting information. The President shall include in each
budget the following:''.
(2) Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which the budget is
submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for which the
budget is submitted and in the succeeding 3 years''.
(3) Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which the budget is
submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for which the
budget is submitted and in the succeeding 3 years''.
(4) Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''.
(5) Section 1105(a)(12) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``the fiscal year'' in subparagraph
(A) and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium'';
and
(B) by striking ``4 fiscal years after that year''
in subparagraph (B) and inserting ``3 fiscal years
immediately following the second fiscal year in such
biennium''.
(6) Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''.
(7) Section 1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each fiscal
year in the biennium for which the budget is submitted''.
(8) Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''.
(9) Section 1105(a)(17) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``the fiscal year following the
fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
biennium following the biennium'';
(B) by striking ``that following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each such fiscal year''; and
(C) by striking ``fiscal year before the fiscal
year'' and inserting ``biennium before the biennium''.
(10) Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31, United States Code,
is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to that fiscal year''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' and inserting ``in
that fiscal year''.
(11) Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31, United States Code,
is amended--
(A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
fiscal years'';
(B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
``with respect to that fiscal year''; and
(C) by striking ``in that year'' each place it
appears and inserting ``in that fiscal year''.
(c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches.--
Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``each year'' and inserting ``each even-numbered year''.
(d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies.--Section
1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year for'' each place it appears
and inserting ``biennium for'';
(2) by inserting ``or current biennium, as the case may
be,'' after ``current fiscal year''; and
(3) by striking ``that year'' and inserting ``that
period''.
(e) Statement With Respect to Certain Changes.--Section 1105(d) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ``fiscal year''
and inserting ``biennium''.
(f) Capital Investment Analysis.--Section 1105(e) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``ensuing fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium to which such budget relates''.
(g) Supplemental Budget Estimates and Changes.--
(1) Section 1106(a) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``that fiscal
year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in such
biennium'';
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking ``4 fiscal years
following the fiscal year'' and inserting ``3 fiscal
years following the biennium''; and
(D) by striking ``fiscal year'' in paragraph (3)
and inserting ``biennium''.
(2) Section 1106(b) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and inserting ``each
fiscal year in the biennium''.
(h) Current Programs and Activities Estimates.--
(1) Section 1109(a) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking ``On or before the first Monday
after January 3 of each year (on or before February 5
in 1986)'' and inserting ``At the same time the budget
required by section 1105 is submitted for a biennium'';
and
(B) by striking ``the following fiscal year'' and
inserting ``each fiscal year of such period''.
(2) Section 1109(b) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``before March 1 of each year'' and
inserting ``within 6 weeks of the President's budget submission
for each odd-numbered year (or, if applicable, as provided by
section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974)''.
(i) Year-Ahead Requests for Authorizing Legislation.--Section 1110
of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``biennium
(beginning on or after October 1, 1997)''; and
(2) by striking ``year before the year in which the fiscal
year begins'' and inserting ``second calendar year preceding
the calendar year in which the biennium begins''.
(j) Budget Information on Consulting Services.--Section 1114 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The'' each place it appears and inserting
``For each biennium beginning with the biennium beginning on
October 1, 1996, the''; and
(2) by striking ``each year'' each place it appears.
SEC. 304. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS
ACTS.
(a) Two-Year Appropriations.--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 the biennium ending
September 30 (here insert the odd-numbered calendar year).'.
``(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(11) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(11)).''.
(b) Conforming Change.--The chapter analysis of chapter 2 of title
1, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``and style'' after
``Title'' in the item relating to section 105.
SEC. 305. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF 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)(2) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``such fiscal year'' and
inserting ``the biennium in which such fiscal year begins''.
(c)(1) Clause 4(b)(2) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``concurrent resolutions on the
budget for each fiscal year'' and inserting ``concurrent resolution on
the budget required under section 301(a) of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974 for each biennium''.
(2) Clause 4(b) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (4), by striking the period and inserting ``; and'' at the
end of subparagraph (5), and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(6) to use the second year of each biennium to study
issues with long-term budgetary and economic implications,
which would include--
``(A) holding hearings to receive testimony from
committees of jurisdiction to identify problem areas
and to report on the results of oversight; and
``(B) by January 1 of each odd-numbered year,
issuing a report to the Speaker which identifies the
key issues facing the Congress in the next biennium.''.
(d) Clause 4(f) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``annually'' each place it
appears and inserting ``biennially''.
(e) Clause 4(g) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended--
(1) by striking ``February 25 of each year'' and inserting
``March 15 of each odd-numbered year (or, if applicable, as
provided by section 300(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974)'';
(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''.
(f) Clause 4(h) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting
``biennium''.
(g) Subdivision (C) of clause 2(l)(1) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives is repealed.
(h) Clause 4(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by striking ``fiscal year if reported after
September 15 preceding the beginning of such fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium if reported after August 1 of the year in which
such biennium begins''.
SEC. 306. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``authorizations of appropriations
``Sec. 314. (a) It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, or conference report that authorizes appropriations for a
period of less than 2 fiscal years, unless the program, project, or
activity for which the funds are to be spent is of less than 2 years
duration.
``(b) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or
the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or
conference report that--
``(1) appropriates an amount for a program, project, or
activity not authorized by existing law in excess of the amount
previously appropriated for such program, project, or activity;
or
``(2) appropriates an amount for a program, project, or
activity not authorized by law within the 2-year period prior
to the date of the appropriation.
``(c) By January 2 of each odd-numbered year, each standing
committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall file a
report with its House outlining its oversight activities during the
Congress. Each report shall consider the appropriateness of agency
missions, the success of programs in meeting their goals, and issues to
consider when reauthorizing these programs.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--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 313 the
following new item:
``Sec. 314. Authorizations of appropriations.''.
CHAPTER 2--ADDITIONAL BUDGET PROCESS CHANGES
SEC. 321. CBO REPORTS TO BUDGET COMMITTEES.
Section 308 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by--
(1) redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(2) inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Quarterly Budget Reports.--The Congressional Budget Office
shall, as soon as practicable after the completion of each quarter of
the fiscal year, prepare an analysis comparing revenues, spending, and
the deficit for the current fiscal year to assumptions included in the
Congressional budget resolution. In preparing this report, the
Congressional Budget Office shall combine actual budget figures to date
with projected revenue and spending for the balance of the fiscal year.
The Congressional Budget Office shall include any other information in
this report that it deems useful for a full understanding of the
current fiscal position of the Federal Government. The reports mandated
by this subsection shall be transmitted by the Director to the Senate
and House Committees on the Budget, and the Congressional Budget Office
shall make such reports available to any interested party upon
request.''.
SEC. 322. GNP BUDGET ANALYSIS; FISCAL AND BUDGET POLICY REPORTS.
(a) GNP Budget Analysis.--Section 3(a) of the Employment Act of
1946 (15 U.S.C. 1022(a)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting ``; and'' at the
end of paragraph (4), and by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) a GNP budget analysis comprising--
``(A) a statement of broad policy objectives for
the performance of the economy and the allocation of
national output among broad major categories of
spending over the next 10 fiscal years; and
``(B) a GNP analysis showing how the current
national output is allocated among different major
categories and how that allocation will be affected in
1 year, 5 years, and 10 years under the policies the
President recommends in pursuit of the statement of
objectives.''.
(b) Fiscal Policy Reports.--Not later than 7 days after the
President's submission under section 3(a) of the Employment Act of
1946, the President shall transmit to the Congress written reports
setting forth--
(1) the President's long-term budget and fiscal policy
goals as set forth in the most recent analysis under section
3(a) of the Employment Act of 1946;
(2) other material including a 10-year projection of
Federal revenues by source, outlays by function, and the
Federal budget deficit; international comparisons that would
help Congress compare United States taxes, spending, deficits,
debt, and allocation of national output to that of other
countries, especially our international competitors; and
program performance indicators to allow Congress to assess the
effectiveness of Federal programs in meeting stated objectives.
(c) Committee Review.--Section 301(a) of the Full Employment and
Balanced Growth Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3131(a)) is amended by inserting
after ``System,'' the following: ``the fiscal and budget policy reports
required under section 322 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1993,''.
SEC. 323. GOVERNMENT-WIDE REVIEW.
(a) The Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall, within
90 days of the enactment of this Act, conduct a review of all
Government user fees. This report will set forth the current level of
such fees, the dates at which the current fees were established, and
any alteration in such fees required to adjust their levels as a result
of changes in consumer price levels since the most recent adjustment.
The Director shall transmit such findings to the Congress and to the
President.
(b) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the
Senate to consider any concurrent resolution on the budget for the
fiscal year beginning the following October 1 after the date of
enactment of this Act until the report described in subsection (a) has
been received by each House of Congress, and referred to the
appropriate committees.
SEC. 324. CONTENT OF BUDGET RESOLUTIONS.
Section 301(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended
by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as paragraphs (4) through
(8), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (2) the following
new paragraph:
``(3) total revenue losses attributable to provisions of
Federal tax laws which allow a special exclusion, exemption, or
deduction from gross income or which provide a special credit,
a preferential rate of tax, or a deferral of tax liability and
the aggregate amount by which such total shall be increased or
decreased;''.
CHAPTER 3--EFFECTIVE DATE
SEC. 331. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), chapter 1 of
this subtitle and the amendments made by it shall become effective
January 1, 1997, and shall apply to bienniums beginning after September
30, 1997.
(b) Fiscal Year 1997.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the
provisions of--
(1) the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and
(2) title 31, United States Code,
(as such provisions were in effect on the day before the effective date
of chapter 1 of this subtitle) shall apply to the fiscal year beginning
on October 1, 1996.
(c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``biennium'' shall have the meaning given to such term in paragraph
(11) of section 3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control
Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(11)), as added by section 302(b)(2) of this
Act.
Subtitle B--Staffing and Instrumentalities
SEC. 341. AUTHORIZATION AND FUNDING OF CERTAIN CONGRESSIONAL
INSTRUMENTALITIES.
(a) In General.--It is the intent of Congress that the General
Accounting Office, Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research
Service of the Library of Congress, Government Printing Office, and
Office of Technology Assessment shall be authorized for 8 fiscal years
in accordance with this section.
(b) Cycle.--The instrumentalities listed in subsection (a) shall be
authorized by the enactment every eighth year beginning for fiscal year
1997 of an Act to authorize appropriations for those offices for the
next 8 fiscal years.
(c) Repealers.--
(1) General accounting office.--Section 736 of title 31,
United States Code, is repealed.
(2) Congressional budget office.--Section 201(f) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 601(f)) is repealed.
(3) Congressional research service.--Any authorization of
appropriations for the Congressional Research Service of the
Library of Congress in effect on the effective date of this
paragraph is repealed.
(4) Government printing office.--Any authorization of
appropriations for the Government Printing Office in effect on
the effective date of this paragraph is repealed.
(5) Office of technology assessment.--Section 12 of the
Technology Assessment Act of 1972 (2 U.S.C. 481) is repealed.
(6) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect with
respect to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1997.
SEC. 342. COORDINATION OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Not later than the end of the second session of
the 104th Congress, the appropriate committees of the House and the
appropriate committees of the Senate are to study and report to their
leadership recommendations providing for better coordination of the
legislative branch services, positions, and entities specified in
subsection (b). The study should consider the need for the creation of
a bicameral management board to provide such coordination.
(b) Services, Positions, and Entities.--The services, positions,
and entities referred to in subsection (a) are (1) printing, (2)
recording, (3) photography, (4) guide service, (5) folding and
packaging, (6) chaplain, (7) flag office, (8) parking permits, (9)
security, (10) Congressional Budget Office, (11) disbursements and
receipts, (12) legal services, (13) Architect of the Capitol, (14)
maintenance of grounds and buildings, (15) library, (16) drafting
services, (17) research, and (18) computer services.
SEC. 343. COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SERVICES AND
FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than the end of the second session of
the 104th Congress, the appropriate committees of the House and the
appropriate committees of the Senate are to study and report on the
feasibility of providing for competitive bidding for the right to
operate the legislative branch facilities and provide the legislative
branch services specified in subsection (b). The study is to consider
whether the periodic reauthorization of such facilities and services is
necessary and the appropriate duration for such reauthorizations.
(b) Facilities and Services.--The facilities and services referred
to in subsection (a) are (1) barber and beauty shops, (2) gymnasium,
(3) health and medical, (4) restaurants, (5) automobile services, and
(6) child care.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
SEC. 351. SUNSET AGENCY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental
Affairs of the Senate shall conduct, with the assistance of the General
Accounting Office, a comprehensive survey of all statutory reporting
requirements, soliciting the views of House and Senate standing
committees, during the One Hundred Fourth Congress and report
legislation on or before December 31, 1996, to eliminate obsolete,
nonessential, or duplicative reports.
(b) 5-Year Period.--The Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall establish a uniform and
appropriate procedure for requiring agency reports to Congress to
expire after 5 years, subject to their specific reauthorization, and
report legislation by December 31, 1996, to sunset statutory reporting
requirements.
SEC. 352. JOINT COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.
(a) Abolition of Joint Committee on Printing.--Chapter 1 of title
44, United States Code, is repealed.
(b) Abolition of Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.--
Sections 223 and 224 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2
U.S.C. 132B and 133) are repealed.
(c) Establishment of Joint Committee on Information Management.--
(1) There is established a Joint Committee on Information Management
(hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Committee'').
(2) The Committee shall be composed of 10 members as follows:
(A) 5 members from the Committee on House Oversight of the
House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker and 5
members of the Rules and Administration of the Senate to be
appointed by ______.
(d) Functions.--The Committee shall--
(1) coordinate information management for Congress;
(2) establish standards and applications policies for
Congress and its support agencies for information technologies,
including telecommunications, electronic files and indexing,
publishing, and information dissemination within Congress and
to the public pursuant to chapters 17 and 19 of title 44,
United States Code;
(3) ensure dissemination of executive branch information to
the public as provided in title 44, United States Code; and
(4) carry out all functions heretofore carried out by the
Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress
on the Library.
(e) Transfer of Functions.--Effective upon the effective date of
this section, all functions of the Joint Committee on Printing and the
Joint Committee of Congress on the Library except those functions
carried out by the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library related
to the supervision of the Botanic Garden and the Capitol art
collection, which shall be transferred to the Committee on House
Oversight of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules
and Administration of the Senate, are transferred to the Committee.
(f) Vacancies; Chairmanship.--Vacancies in the membership of the
Committee shall not affect the power of the remaining members to
execute the functions of the Committee, and shall be filled in the same
manner as the original selection. The chairmanship and vice
chairmanship of the Committee shall alternate between the chairman of
the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
chairman of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
Representatives with each Congress. The initial chairman of the
Committee shall be the chairman of the Committee on House Oversight and
the initial vice chairman shall be the chairman of the Committee on
Rules and Administration.
(g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect at the
beginning of the One Hundred Fifth Congress.
Subtitle D--Budget Control
SEC. 361. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSE.
(a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Budget
Control Act of 1995''.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this subtitle is to create a mechanism
to monitor total costs of direct spending programs, and, in the event
that actual or projected costs exceed targeted levels, to require the
President and Congress to address adjustments in direct spending.
SEC. 362. ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT SPENDING TARGETS.
(a) In General.--The initial direct spending targets for each of
fiscal years 1996 through 1999 shall equal total outlays for all direct
spending except net interest and deposit insurance as determined by the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget (hereinafter referred
to in this subtitle as the ``Director'') under subsection (b).
(b) Initial Report by Director.--
(1) Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall submit a report to Congress
setting forth projected direct spending targets for each of
fiscal years 1996 through 1999.
(2) The Director's projections shall be based on
legislation enacted as of 5 days before the report is submitted
under paragraph (1). To the extent feasible, the Director shall
use the same economic and technical assumptions used in
preparing the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal
year 1995 (H. Con. Res. 218).
(c) Adjustments.--Direct spending targets shall be subsequently
adjusted by the Director under section 386.
SEC. 363. ANNUAL REVIEW OF DIRECT SPENDING AND RECEIPTS BY PRESIDENT.
As part of each budget submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, the President shall provide an annual review of
direct spending and receipts, which shall include (1) information
supporting the adjustment of direct spending targets pursuant to
section 366, (2) information on total outlays for programs covered by
the direct spending targets, including actual outlays for the prior
fiscal year and projected outlays for the current fiscal year and the 5
succeeding fiscal years, and (3) information on the major categories of
Federal receipts, including a comparison between the levels of those
receipts and the levels projected as of the date of enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 364. SPECIAL DIRECT SPENDING MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT.
(a) Trigger.--In the event that the information submitted by the
President under section 363 indicates--
(1) that actual outlays for direct spending in the prior
fiscal year exceeded the applicable direct spending target, or
(2) that outlays for direct spending for the current or
budget year are projected to exceed the applicable direct
spending targets,
the President shall include in his budget a special direct spending
message meeting the requirements of subsection (b).
(b) Contents.--(1) The special direct spending message shall
include:
(A) An explanation of any adjustments to the direct
spending targets pursuant to section 366.
(B) An analysis of the variance in direct spending over the
adjusted direct spending targets.
(C) The President's recommendations for addressing the
direct spending overages, if any, in the prior, current, or
budget year.
(2) The President's recommendations may consist of any of the
following:
(A) Proposed legislative changes to reduce direct spending
outlays, increase revenues, or both, in order to recoup or
eliminate the overage for the prior, current, and budget years
in the current year, the budget year, and the 4 outyears.
(B) Proposed legislative changes to reduce direct spending
outlays, increase revenues, or both, in order to recoup or
eliminate part of the overage for the prior, current, and
budget year in the current year, the budget year, and the 4
outyears, accompanied by a finding by the President that,
because of economic conditions or for other specified reasons,
only some of the overage should be recouped or eliminated by
direct spending outlay reductions or revenue increases, or
both.
(C) A proposal to make no legislative changes to recoup or
eliminate any overage, accompanied by a finding by the
President that, because of economic conditions or for other
specified reasons, no legislative changes are warranted.
(3) Any proposed legislative change under paragraph (2) to reduce
outlays may include reductions in direct spending.
(c) Proposed Special Direct Spending Resolution.--
(1) President's recommendations to be submitted as draft
resolution.--If the President recommends reductions consistent
with subsection (b)(2) (A) or (B), the special direct spending
message shall include the text of a special direct spending
resolution implementing the President's recommendations through
reconciliation directives instructing the appropriate
committees of the House of Representatives and Senate to
determine and recommend changes in laws within their
jurisdictions to reduce direct spending outlays or increase
revenues by specified amounts. If the President recommends no
reductions pursuant to (b)(2)(C), the special direct spending
message shall include the text of a special resolution
concurring in the President's recommendation of no legislative
action.
(2) Resolution to be introduced in house.--Within 10 days
after the President's special direct spending message is
submitted, the text required by paragraph (1) shall be
introduced as a concurrent resolution in the House of
Representatives by the chairman of the Committee on the Budget
of the House of Representatives without substantive revision.
If the chairman fails to do so, after the tenth day the
resolution may be introduced by any Member of the House of
Representatives. A concurrent resolution introduced under this
paragraph shall be referred to the Committee on the Budget.
SEC. 365. REQUIRED RESPONSE BY CONGRESS.
(a) Requirement for Special Direct Spending Resolution.--Whenever
the President submits a special direct spending message under section
364, the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall
report, not later than April 15, the concurrent resolution on the
budget and include in it a separate title that meets the requirements
of subsections (b) and (c).
(b) Contents of Separate Title.--The separate title of the
concurrent resolution on the budget shall contain reconciliation
directives to the appropriate committees of the House of
Representatives and Senate to determine and recommend changes in laws
within their jurisdictions to reduce direct spending outlays or
increase revenues by specified amounts (which in total equal or exceed
the reductions recommended by the President, up to the amount of the
overage). If this separate title recommends that no legislative changes
be made to recoup or eliminate an overage, then a statement to that
effect shall be set forth in that title.
(c) Requirement for Separate Vote To Increase Targets.--If the
separate title of a concurrent resolution on the budget proposes to
recoup or eliminate less than the entire overage for the prior,
current, and budget years, then the Committee on the Budget of the
House of Representatives shall report a resolution directing the
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight to report legislation
increasing the direct spending targets for each applicable year by the
full amount of the overage not recouped or eliminated. It shall not be
in order in the House of Representatives to consider that concurrent
resolution on the budget until the House of Representatives has agreed
to the resolution directing the increase in direct spending targets.
(d) Conference Reports Must Fully Address Overage.--It shall not be
in order in the House of Representatives to consider a conference
report on a concurrent resolution on the budget unless that conference
report fully addresses the entirety of any overage contained in the
applicable report of the President under section 364 through
reconciliation directives requiring direct spending reductions, revenue
increases, or changes in the direct spending targets.
(e) Procedure if House Budget Committee Fails To Report Required
Resolution.--
(1) Automatic discharge of house budget committee.--If a
special direct spending resolution is required and the
Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives fails
to report a resolution meeting the requirements of subsections
(b) and (c) by April 15, then the committee shall be
automatically discharged from further consideration of the
concurrent resolution reflecting the President's
recommendations introduced pursuant to section 364(c)(2) and
the concurrent resolution shall be placed on the appropriate
calendar.
(2) Consideration by house.--Ten days after the Committee
on the Budget of the House of Representatives has been
discharged under paragraph (1), any Member may move that the
House proceed to consider the resolution. Such motion shall be
highly privileged and not debatable.
(f) Application of Congressional Budget Act.--To the extent that
they are relevant and not inconsistent with this subtitle, the
provisions of title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 shall
apply in the House of Representatives and the Senate to special direct
spending resolutions, resolutions increasing targets under subsection
(c), and reconciliation legislation reported pursuant to directives
contained in those resolutions.
SEC. 366. ADJUSTMENTS TO DIRECT SPENDING TARGETS.
(a) Required Annual Adjustments.--Prior to the submission of the
President's budget for each of fiscal years 1997 through 1999, the
Director shall adjust the direct spending targets in accordance with
this section. Any such adjustments shall be reflected in the targets
used in the President's report under section 363 and message (if any)
under section 364.
(b) Adjustment for Increases in Beneficiaries.--(1) The Director
shall adjust the direct spending targets for increases (if any) in
actual or projected numbers of beneficiaries under direct spending
programs for which the number of beneficiaries is a variable in
determining costs.
(2) The adjustment shall be made by--
(A) computing, for each program under paragraph (1), the
percentage change between (i) the annual average number of
beneficiaries under that program (including actual numbers of
beneficiaries for the prior fiscal year and projections for the
budget and subsequent fiscal years) to be used in the
President's budget with which the adjustments will be
submitted, and (ii) the annual average number of beneficiaries
used in the adjustments made by the Director in the previous
year (or, in the case of adjustments made in 1996, the annual
average number of beneficiaries used in the Director's initial
report under section 362(b));
(B) applying the percentages computed under subparagraph
(A) to the projected levels of outlays for each program
consistent with the direct spending targets in effect
immediately prior to the adjustment; and
(C) adding the results of the calculations required by
subparagraph (B) to the direct spending targets in effect
immediately prior to the adjustment.
(3) No adjustment shall be made for any program for a fiscal year
in which the percentage increase computed under paragraph (2)(A) is
less than or equal to zero.
(c) Adjustments for Revenue Legislation.--(1) The Director shall
adjust the targets as follows--
(A) they shall be increased by the amount of any increase
in receipts; or
(B) they shall be decreased by the amount of any decrease
in receipts,
resulting from receipts legislation enacted after the date of enactment
of this subtitle, except legislation enacted under section 365.
(d) Adjustments To Reflect Congressional Decisions.--Upon enactment
of a reconciliation bill pursuant to instructions under section 365,
the Director shall adjust direct spending targets for the current year,
the budget year, and each outyear through 1997 by--
(1) increasing the target for the current year and the
budget year by the amount stated for that year in that
reconciliation bill (but if a separate vote was required by
section 365(c), only if that vote has occurred); and
(2) decreasing the target for the current, budget, and
outyears through 1997 by the amount of reductions in direct
spending enacted in that reconciliation bill.
(e) Designated Emergencies.--The Director shall adjust the targets
to reflect the costs of legislation that is designated as an emergency
by Congress and the President under section 252(b) of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
SEC. 367. RELATIONSHIP TO BALANCED BUDGET AND EMERGENCY DEFICIT CONTROL
ACT OF 1985.
Reductions in outlays or increases in receipts resulting from
legislation reported pursuant to section 365 shall not be taken into
account for purposes of any budget enforcement procedures under the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
SEC. 368. ESTIMATING MARGIN.
For any fiscal year for which the overage is less than one-half of
1 percent of the direct spending target for that year, the procedures
set forth in sections 364 and 365 shall not apply.
SEC. 369. CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION BILLS.
(a) Point of Order.--It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives to consider any general appropriation bill if the
President has submitted a direct spending message under section 364
until Congress has adopted a concurrent resolution on the budget for
the budget year that meets the requirements of section 365.
(b) Waiver.--The point of order established by subsection (a) may
only be waived for all general appropriation bills for that budget year
through the adoption of one resolution waiving that point of order.
SEC. 370. MEANS-TESTED PROGRAMS.
In making recommendations under sections 364 and 365, the President
and the Congress should seriously consider all other alternatives
before proposing reductions in means-tested programs.
SEC. 371. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This subtitle shall apply to direct spending targets for fiscal
years 1996 through 1999 and shall expire at the end of fiscal year
1999.
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