18 Jan BPC Action: Now is the Time for a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission  in Budget and Appropriations

Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action) President Michele Stockwell issued the following statement in response to the House Budget Committee’s markup of H.R. 5779, the Fiscal Commission Act: 

“BPC Action commends the House Budget Committee for advancing the Fiscal Commission Act to the full House of Representatives today. The nation is on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory, and today’s committee action to establish a fiscal commission is a concrete step toward finding productive and collaborative ways to address it.” 

“The improvements made to the Fiscal Commission Act today will help the prospective commission address the federal government’s fiscal challenges. Specifically, the updated bill’s recognition of the need for public education on the risks of rising debt levels, as well as its requirement for an interim report, will ensure the commission builds trust among its members, with Congress, and with the general public before considering policy reforms. The amended bill also provides a greater role for the executive branch in helping a commission identify debt reduction options.” 

“We strongly believe a fiscal commission merits additional consideration in both chambers of Congress and will continue to work with lawmakers on any refinements necessary to achieve broad, bipartisan support. We applaud House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA), and many additional stakeholders for their leadership and commitment to bipartisanship on this issue. We similarly applaud Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Todd Young (R-IN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for their parallel effort in the Senate.”