7th District Lawmaker says this is important first step toward more transparency, accountability, and restraint in federal budget process

WASHINGTON, DC– Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) this week voted in favor of two of what is expected to be a series of budget reform bills to be considered by the U.S. House over the next several weeks.

"We cannot achieve real fiscal responsibility in Washington unless we radically reform the federal budget process," Lance said.  "This week the U.S. House has taken an important first step in fixing the broken budget process that makes it far too easy to spend taxpayer money."

By a 242-179 vote, the U.S. House approved H.R. 3582, the "Pro-Growth Budgeting Act" to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze the impact major pieces of legislation will have on economic growth and job creation.  

"The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act will provide members of Congress and the American people a comprehensive analysis of the real world impact of legislation being considered in Washington,” Lance said.  "With unemployment more than 8 percent it makes perfect sense to consider the impact that major legislation will have on our economy."

The House also approved H.R. 3578, the "Baseline Reform Act," by a 235-177 vote.  This bill would end the practice of automatically increasing the discretionary spending baseline used by Congress and the Administration each year.  Congressman Lance believes that the Baseline Reform Act would force elected officials to look more critically at requests for increased funding.

"Our national debt stands at more than $15 trillion," Lance said.  "No longer should an automatic increase in spending be assumed each and every year.  This bill will stop this fiscally unacceptable practice that has been accepted as the norm in Washington for far too long."

The House is expected to take up other budget reform bills next week.

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