Sen. Enzi Seeks Biennial Budgeting

Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi has introduced the “Biennial Appropriations Act” which would require Congress and the President to use biennial budgeting, much like Wyoming does. This, Enzi says, would allow Congress more time to consider individual appropriations bills instead of massive “take it-or-leave it” omnibus bills. Enzi says the current system leaves the country stuck with continuing resolutions and one massive spending bill at the end of the year to fund the entire government under the threat of a government shutdown.  That, he says, never works for the good of the American taxpayer.  Enzi points to the Wyoming State Legislature which uses biennial budgeting.  He says it allows legislators the necessary time to consider the needs of the state, and then evaluate how money was allocates.  The bill introduced by Enzi last Thursday would require the President to submit a two-year budget resolution at the beginning of each Congress.  Enzi said this would force Congress to identify spending priorities and then allocate money with enough time to see the money used as it was intended before the next budget cycle begins.