Oversight
GAO Finds Eligibility Rules for Low-Income Assistance Programs “Complex” and “Burdensome”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At the request of Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined eligibility rules for six major federal low-income assistance programs and found these rules to be unduly complex and confusing to applicants and administratively burdensome to federal agencies. In FY 2015, federal funding for these programs was nearly $540 billion. "This GAO study highlights the need for more efficient and effective government," said Chair… Continue Reading
06.26.17
CBO: Senate Health Care Bill Provides Lower Premiums and Saves Billions in Reduced Taxes
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today released its preliminary analysis of the draft Senate health care proposal, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, stating that the draft bill would lower premiums by 30 percent when compared with current law, while also lowering taxes for hardworking families and providing more than $331 billion in on-budget deficit reduction. In a previous analysis, CBO found that repeal of the Obamacare law would boost the economy by encouraging more… Continue Reading
06.26.17
Unhealthy acts (Unauthorized Programs)
by Cal Thomas
Is there anyone who can point to the "Affordable Care Act" (aka Obamacare) and credibly claim it is accomplishing the goals set for it seven years ago? Insurers are pulling out of the exchanges, premiums and related costs are going up, not down, as supporters of the misnamed law claimed they would. Many people who like their doctors are not being allowed to keep their doctors. In a Facebook post last week, Obama himself didn't even bother to defend Obamacare. Instead, he criticized a proposed … Continue Reading
06.22.17
Enzi Statement on Senate Health Care Proposal
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made the following statement after Senate Republicans released their discussion draft of legislation to stabilize health insurance markets and bring down health care premiums: "After months of hard work, Senate Republicans are proposing solutions to address the challenges to health care created by Obamacare that are affecting millions of hardworking families," said Chairman Enzi. "Senate Democratic lead… Continue Reading
06.14.17
Budget Committee Approves Vought as Deputy Director of White House Budget Office
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee approved the nomination of Russell T. Vought to be Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mr. Vought must also be approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and then can be considered by the full Senate. "The White House Budget Office plays a critical role in managing government-wide functions, such as agency rulemaking, contracting, grants management, financial management, informatio… Continue Reading
06.13.17
Enzi Tells Sec. Mnuchin To Focus on Nation’s Skyrocketing Debt and Underperforming Economy
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today told U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that it was critical for his department to focus on addressing America's mammoth national debt and boosting economic growth, during a hearing today on the President's fiscal year 2018 budget request. "The Department of Treasury has responsibility for fostering our nation's economic growth and ensuring fiscal stability across our financial system, and our country… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Enzi Statement on Nominee to be Deputy Director of White House Budget Office
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made the following statement during a hearing on the nomination of Russell T. Vought to be Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). "There is a real need to ensure all of the leadership positions at the White House Budget Office are filled because the president's budget is just one step in the process of putting America on a better and more sustainable fiscal path," said C… Continue Reading
06.07.17
President’s FY 18 Budget: Economic Growth Policies
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Budget Committee today released the third in a series of analyses of the President's FY 2018 Budget submission. The June 7, 2017, Budget Bulletin is focused on Economic Growth Policies as part of the President's fiscal year 2018 Budget request. The Budget Bulletin provides regular expert articles by Senate Budget Committee analysts on the issues before Congress relating to the budget, deficits, debt, and the economy. Read the full Senate Budget Bulletin here. Excerp… Continue Reading
06.06.17
House Health Care Bill Text Complies with Senate Reconciliation Process
WASHINGTON D.C. - The health care bill passed by the House of Representatives, H.R. 1628 - the American Health Care Act of 2017, providing for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, complies with the Senate reconciliation process. After the House transmits H.R. 1628 to the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader will have the ability to bring up the legislation under the provisions of reconciliation, which include: a non-debatable motion to proceed that only requires a simple majority vote; no fil… Continue Reading
05.25.17
Enzi: President’s Budget Recognizes Nation’s Challenging Fiscal Situation
WASHINGTON D.C. - During a hearing on the President's fiscal year 2018 budget request, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today said that by submitting a balanced budget request, the President recognizes the challenging financial situation the nation is in. "I appreciate that the President and Director Mulvaney recognize the challenging financial situation the United States is in by attempting to do the first balanced budget submitted by a president in years," sa… Continue Reading
05.24.17
President’s FY 18 Budget - Mandatory Spending Proposals
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Budget Committee today released the second in a series of analyses of the President's FY 2018 Budget submission. The May 24, 2017, Budget Bulletin is focused on Mandatory Spending Proposals as part of the President's fiscal year 2018 Budget request. The Budget Bulletin provides regular expert articles by Senate Budget Committee analysts on the issues before Congress relating to the budget, deficits, debt, and the economy. Read the full Senate Budget Bulletin here. E… Continue Reading
05.23.17
The President’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal Overview
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Budget Committee today released its first in a series of analyses of the President's FY 2018 Budget submission. The May 23, 2017, Budget Bulletin is focused on an overview of the President's fiscal year 2018 Budget Proposal. The Budget Bulletin provides regular expert articles by Senate Budget Committee analysts on the issues before Congress relating to the budget, deficits, debt, and the economy. Read the full Senate Budget Bulletin here. Excerpts follow: Overview… Continue Reading
05.23.17
Enzi Statement on President’s FY 18 Budget Request
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made the following statement on President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2018 budget request: "Just like hardworking American families, the government can't continually spend more than it makes. What happens when we run out of financial gimmicks? It is time for Congress and the President to do what every American family has to do, live within our means," said Chairman Enzi. "I commend the President on propos… Continue Reading
05.18.17
America’s Economic Growth Triggers
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Budget Committee today released its May 18, 2017, Budget Bulletin focused on America's Economic Growth Triggers. The Budget Bulletin provides regular expert articles by Senate Budget Committee analysts on the issues before Congress relating to the budget, deficits, debt, and the economy. Read the full Senate Budget Bulletin here. Excerpts follow: The federal government is currently focused on boosting American economic growth with new policies that encourage privat… Continue Reading
05.17.17
Enzi: Make Federal Government More Effective and Efficient for Taxpayers
WASHINGTON D.C. - During a hearing today focused on running the government for less, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said Congress can make the federal government more effective and efficient. Testifying were the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which found a disconnect between the salaries paid to federal workers and those received by private sector counterparts with similar training and experience, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found… Continue Reading
05.10.17
Enzi Charging Ahead With Budget That Balances in 10 Years
by Paul M. Krawzak
Senate Budget Chairman Michael B. Enzi said Wednesday he is trying to write a fiscal 2018 budget resolution that balances in 10 years and he does not have to wait until a GOP health care bill is passed to mark up the budget in committee. "We're working on getting it ready now and we'll do it as soon as we can," Enzi told reporters when asked when the committee would vote on a budget. The Wyoming Republican said it was necessary "to cut trillions of dollars in order to balance in 10 years, and … Continue Reading
05.10.17
Enzi: Time for Congress to Focus on Policies Boosting America’s Economic Growth
WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today said Congress should focus on how Congress can work with the new Administration to foster a stronger US economy. Testifying was former Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX), who provided insight into which policies have historically led to economic growth upon implementation, as well as which are most politically attainable for Congress. "Our projected economic growth is below average, and we need to continue dis… Continue Reading
05.03.17
Congress Should Focus on Boosting Private Sector Growth in the Economy
WASHINGTON D.C. - During a hearing on economic growth, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today said it is important for Congress and the federal government to focus on policies that promote private sector growth instead of increasing regulations that could hinder the economy. "It is critical for Congress and the federal government to focus on policies that actually promote private sector growth," said Chairman Enzi. "As we enter into a period of historically hi… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Senate Budget Panel Adopts Bipartisan Changes in Rules
by Jennifer Shutt
The Senate Budget Committee through polling of its members has unanimously agreed to change how it takes up the annual budget resolution, Republican committee leaders have told CQ. Members have agreed to release the resolution text to committee members five days before any markup. They also have decided to set deadlines specifying that first-degree amendments must be filed two days in advance of a markup and second-degree and side-by-side amendments must be sent to the committee a day before th… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Budget Committee Unanimously Approves Reforms to Broken Budget Process
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee unanimously approved new committee rules, which include budget process reforms that will lead to more orderly, meaningful and transparent consideration of budget resolutions in the committee. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said these efforts represent an important step in fixing the broken budget process and ensuring the budget resolution plays an important role in putting the nation on a more sustainable fiscal p… Continue Reading
