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On Congress: A few Farewell Thoughts
When the 115th Congress convened last week it was immediately faced with a range of important issues: the promised repeal of Obamacare, the passing of an FY17 budget resolution, proposals for major tax reform, an overhaul of entitlement programs, what to do about the massive federal debt, and a full slate of confirmation hearings in
Director’s Desk: December 1, 2016
Welcome back! In case you hadn’t noticed, the GAI On the Hill Newsletter has been on hiatus since Congress adjourned in July. Although they reconvened for the lame duck two weeks ago with the same Members of Congress in both chambers, Donald Trump’s surprise election victory has altered much of the landscape in Congress as
Director’s Desk
Although appropriators have been diligently working on the individual FY17 spending bills in each chamber, as of today the House has managed to pass only four of the twelve bills, and the Senate only three. None have been sent to the president, and it remains unlikely that more than two or three of the bills
Director’s Desk
In normal circumstances, all spending measures begin in the House. But this year, in the absence of passing a budget resolution in the House, as Josh discusses in the accompanying newsletter piece, Senate leadership will move forward on spending bills without any guidance from the lower chamber. Senate Budget Committee Chair Mike Enzi (R-WY) announced
Director’s Desk
Although the NCAA Tournament attracts far more attention, mid-March also marks the beginning phase of the congressional budget and appropriations process. Even though the November 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act set the discretionary spending levels for FY17, passing a budget resolution is still significant. First, a budget resolution is a political document, and provides a vehicle
March Madness: Let the Games Begin
Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day, and all around Washington the daffodils are just beginning to poke out of the ground. Most of us inside the Beltway are focused on the presidential primaries, and of course on the NCAA Tournament. The beginning of the next fiscal year is still more than six months away, and the
Director’s Desk
By far the most interesting and important political dynamic to watch in the Second Session will be relations between Speaker Ryan and ultra-conservatives in his own party. The first real test of that will come when the House Budget Committee issues its FY17 spending plan. The 2015 Bipartisan Budget Agreement set discretionary levels for this
Director’s Desk
Will 2016 be more like 1994, or 2014? The Bipartisan Budget Agreement (PL 114-74) signed in November would seem to pave the way for relatively easy passage of at least some, if not all of the 12 individual FY17 appropriations bills. Under the two-year deal, top line discretionary spending levels (302a) are in place for
Director’s Desk
Yesterday the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its revised update that projects the federal deficit increasing this year to $544 billion, $130 billion higher than its August estimate, and $105 billion more than last year’s deficit. It will equal 2 cialis 20mg fta 4.9% of GDP, and will be the first time
Passing a Budget Resolution: It Ain’t Easy
Like last year, when Republicans held majorities in both the House and the Senate, it’s generally assumed that Congress will pass a budget resolution this year. House Budget Committee Chair Tom Price (R-GA) has stated he intends to write an FY17 budget resolution that will balance the budget in ten years. But even though Senate