WASHINGTON, D.C. –As the Senate turns to the consideration of its first budget resolution in four years, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, joined a bipartisan effort led by Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to reform Congress’ budget process by converting the annual spending practice to a two-year budget cycle.

Senator King signed on as a cosponsor to S.554, the Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act, which would force Congress to become better stewards of the taxpayers’ money by placing Congress on a two-year budget cycle with one year for appropriating federal dollars and the other devoted to oversight of federal programs to determine if they should be continued, reduced or eliminated.

“As a new member of the Senate Budget Committee, I’m astounded that this nation has operated for the past four years on short-term continuing resolutions and haphazard budgeting laws,” said Senator King.  “Such a reckless process has sapped America’s economic health and moving to a biennial budgeting process is a commonsense solution. Not only would it maximize taxpayer dollars and cut government waste, but it would also introduce budgetary stability so that investors, entrepreneurs, and consumers can regain the confidence to invest in our economy again.”

Maine is one of twenty states that operates under a biennial budgeting cycle, and during his time as Governor, Senator King gained a firsthand appreciation of its efficacy. Additionally, biennial budgeting has been endorsed by each successive administration since Ronald Reagan as well as by numerous federal budget experts. Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are also cosponsors.  S.554 has been referred to the Senate Budget Committee.

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