Overview
Title
To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to include timely completion of budgetary actions as an essential purpose of such Act and to establish limitations on the official travel of Members of Congress upon failure to timely adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9999 says that if Congress doesn't agree on a budget on time, they can't go on big trips they're usually allowed to take, unless it's super important, like for safety reasons.
Summary AI
H.R. 9999, titled the “No Budget, No Recess Act,” aims to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The bill seeks to ensure the timely completion of budgetary actions and imposes limitations on official travel for Members of Congress if a budget is not adopted by April 15 each year. Exceptions to travel restrictions are allowed for returning to Washington D.C., traveling within the National Capital Region, or in response to national security events.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, known as the "No Budget, No Recess Act," aims to amend the existing Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The key focus of the bill is to ensure that budgetary actions are completed in a timely manner. Furthermore, it seeks to impose restrictions on official travel for Members of Congress if they fail to adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget by a specific deadline. This initiative underscores a growing concern about fiscal responsibility and accountability in Congress.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill addresses two primary concerns. First, it seeks to make the timely completion of budgetary actions an essential purpose of the 1974 Act. To this end, a requirement is added to ensure budget actions are completed on time, and it adjusts the timeline for the approval of appropriation bills by the House to include the month of August. Second, it introduces consequences for failing to adopt a budget resolution by April 15, which include limiting official travel for Members of Congress, with some exceptions. These exceptions allow travel back to Washington, D.C., within the National Capital Region, or if a national security event arises.
Significant Issues
One of the central issues with the bill is the vague nature of the term "timely completion" concerning budgetary actions. Without specific deadlines or guidelines, the effectiveness of this amendment is questionable. Another major concern arises from the travel limitations imposed under this bill. The enforcement mechanisms for these limitations are unclear, and there is potential for loopholes, especially regarding the exceptions provided for national security events. Additionally, reliance on an external source for the definition of the "National Capital Region" could pose challenges if those definitions change without notice. Moreover, the interpretation of "calendar day" excluding weekends and holidays might create confusion in implementation.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
The implications of this bill could be far-reaching for the public and specific stakeholders. Broadly, the bill's intent to ensure timely budget resolutions could improve fiscal responsibility, potentially leading to more stable financial planning and implementation of public services. However, if the ambiguities in the legislation are not addressed, there might not be a significant change, and the delays in budgetary processes could persist.
For Members of Congress, the limitations on official travel represent a stark reminder of their responsibilities towards efficient governance. While this might motivate more timely actions, the lack of clarity in the exceptions and enforcement could lead to challenges in everyday operations. Stakeholders involved in government operations close to the fiscal deadlines might face uncertainties if the bill's provisions remain ambiguous or unenforced. Ultimately, the bill attempts to hold Congress accountable, but its success will largely depend on how the issues in its phrasing and enforcement are addressed in practice.
Issues
The concept of 'timely completion' in Section 2 is vague, lacking specific guidelines or timelines, which could lead to continued delays in budgetary actions and complicate enforcement. This issue is significant as it directly affects governmental budget processes and could impact public services and fiscal responsibility.
Section 3's limitations on official travel lack clarity on enforcement and oversight, potentially leading to inconsistent application and loopholes that could be exploited, undermining the bill's intent to hold Congress accountable.
The exceptions for national security events in Section 3 are broadly defined and offer wide discretion without adequate checks and balances, which might be exploited, raising ethical concerns over potential misuse of travel privileges.
In Section 3, the definition of the 'National Capital Region' relies on an external legal source, which could change and affect the scope of travel limitations without notice, leading to unforeseen political and legal ramifications.
The phrasing around the 'calendar day' period in Section 3, excluding specific days like weekends and holidays, might introduce confusion in implementation, potentially creating disputes over compliance and effectiveness.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the act gives it the official name “No Budget, No Recess Act.”
2. Timely completion of budgetary actions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to ensure budget actions are completed on time by introducing a new requirement. It also changes the deadline for the House of Representatives to approve regular appropriation bills to include August instead of just July.
3. Limits on official travel of Members of Congress upon failure to adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget in a timely manner Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
If Congress does not approve a budget resolution by April 15, Members of Congress cannot spend money on official travel until it is approved. There are exceptions that allow travel back to Washington, D.C., within the National Capital Region, or for national security reasons.