Overview
Title
To require submission of the National Security Strategy and the budget of the President before the President may deliver the State of the Union address.
ELI5 AI
The SUBMIT IT Act says that the President has to give Congress two important papers—a plan about keeping the country safe and a request for money for the next year—before talking to everyone about how the country is doing. This rule is to help Congress make smart choices but might make it tricky to plan when the President can give the speech.
Summary AI
S. 3734, also known as the "Send Us Budget Materials and International Tactics In Time Act" or the "SUBMIT IT Act," requires the President of the United States to submit the National Security Strategy and the budget request for the upcoming fiscal year to Congress before delivering the State of the Union address. The bill mandates that Congress cannot invite the President to give this address until these submissions are complete. This change aims to align traditional presidential duties with statutory requirements and improve the timeliness of vital information needed for congressional decision-making regarding budgets and national security.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The bill titled the "Send Us Budget Materials and International Tactics In Time Act" or the "SUBMIT IT Act" aims to introduce a procedural requirement for the President of the United States. It stipulates that the President must submit both the National Security Strategy and the annual budget proposal to Congress before being invited to deliver the State of the Union Address. Traditionally, the State of the Union is an annual message delivered by the President to Congress and the American public, conveying information about the nation's condition and outlining legislative priorities.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill has raised several issues. First, it lacks an enforcement mechanism. There are no specified consequences if the President does not comply with the requirement to submit the National Security Strategy and budget before the State of the Union Address. This absence of enforcement could make the bill ineffective in practice.
Additionally, the bill's requirement may lead to scheduling conflicts or delays. If these critical documents are not ready in time, the State of the Union Address could be postponed, affecting not only its delivery but also the schedule for Congress and media coverage.
The bill also does not account for unusual circumstances, such as changes in the fiscal calendar or unforeseen events that could necessitate flexibility in submission timelines. This rigidity may present challenges for compliance and create additional complications.
Finally, by introducing this procedural requirement, the bill might spark political controversy. It imposes new rules on a significant tradition in U.S. politics and executive communication, potentially viewed as an infringement on presidential prerogatives.
Impact on the Public
The general public might perceive the bill as an effort to increase transparency and accountability, ensuring that Congress has the necessary information for informed legislative deliberations before the State of the Union Address. However, if delays or conflicts arise due to the new requirements, it might lead to confusion or frustration, particularly if these delays affect the delivery of the President's message to the nation.
From a positive perspective, having a complete budget and security strategy might enable more comprehensive discussions during the legislative year, potentially leading to more informed decisions that reflect current national priorities and challenges.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For Congress, this bill could be beneficial as it demands timely access to critical information for budgetary and security planning ahead of the State of the Union Address. This could potentially enhance legislative efficiency and effectiveness.
For the Executive Branch, particularly the Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council, the bill could impose additional pressure to produce and finalize comprehensive documents within strict timelines. This might necessitate changes in administrative processes to ensure compliance.
Politically, the bill could be contentious. It imposes a procedural restriction on delivering the State of the Union, which might be seen as limiting executive discretion and traditional presidential communication methods. This aspect could lead to debates between different branches of government and within political parties about the separation of powers and checks and balances.
In conclusion, while the bill endeavors to enforce timeliness and enhance informed decision-making, its current structure might introduce practical challenges and political debates, necessitating careful consideration and possibly further refinement.
Issues
The bill in Section 4 does not outline any consequences or enforcement mechanisms if the President fails to transmit the National Security Strategy and Budget Request before the State of the Union, which could render the bill ineffective.
The requirement in Section 4 that the State of the Union Address must follow the submission of the National Security Strategy and Budget Request could lead to scheduling conflicts or delays in delivering the address if the documents are not ready.
The language in Section 4 does not take into account potential changes in the fiscal calendar or unexpected events that might affect the submission timeline for these documents, which could complicate compliance and enforcement.
The bill may create political controversy as it places procedural limitations on when the President can deliver the State of the Union Address, a key part of U.S. political traditions and executive communication.
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 bill states that this law can be referred to as the "Send Us Budget Materials and International Tactics In Time Act" or simply the "SUBMIT IT Act."
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section defines two terms: "National Security Strategy," which refers to a specific report mentioned in the National Security Act of 1947, and "President’s Budget Request," which refers to materials described in the United States Code that must be submitted to Congress annually by a certain deadline.
3. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congressional findings in this section highlight that while the President typically delivers the State of the Union Address to Congress annually, there are statutory requirements for the President to submit a comprehensive budget and National Security Strategy. These submissions often arrive late, varying by president, and the lack of consistent timing for the National Security Strategy contradicts statutory mandates.
4. State of the Union to follow the budget and security submissions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines that the President cannot be invited to give a State of the Union Address to Congress until they have sent the National Security Strategy and the Budget Request for the next fiscal year to Congress. It also updates the law to require that this budget request be submitted before the first Monday in February each year.