Isakson: Biennial budget will cut down on reckless spending

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., wants to change the federal budget process from an annual spending plan to a two-year cycle, a move he contends will help end “reckless spending.”

“We have a serious, difficult problem in our country. We have a debt of $13 trillion,” Isakson said in a statement. “One of the keys to stopping the growth of debt and improving the plight of our country is to begin spending within our means. Through the process of a biennial budget, we can combine the responsibility of spending with the absolute responsibility of oversight.”

Isakson is a sponsor of S.169, which he says would require the president to create a two-year budget at the start of Congress’ first session. During that first session, Congress would approve the two-year budget and any required reconciliation and appropriations bills, according to Isakson.

During its second session, Congress would consider any needed authorization bills in addition to overseeing federal programs, according to Isakson.

“During these difficult times, everybody in America is looking at where they spend their money, and they’re trying to find savings,” Isakson said. “They’re trying to find those places where they could better allocate their money so they are not going into debt, they are not borrowing and they are not raising the prospects of debt in the future. The American government ought to be doing the same thing.”