Hoyer Makes it Official – Congress Shuns Budget Duties

Kathryn Nix / May 14, 2010

The term ‘fiscal responsibility’ is en vogue in Washington these days.  Lawmakers have been quick to claim they will tackle the federal government’s impending financial crisis, a claim showcased by the President’s commission to reduce the federal deficit.  But Congress’ recent behavior proves they are no more serious about reining in spending than they were before, exposing the deficit commission for the fig leaf that it really is.

Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced that, for the first time since 1974, the House will not pass a budget resolution this year.  Since the Budget Act of 1974, Congress has been unable to conference a budget resolution only four times: in 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2006.  But in every one of these years, the House fulfilled its obligation to American taxpayers to create a budget.  This year, however, this will not be the case. (more…)