I have a plan. Under it, the current federal budget would remain in place until a new one is approved, preventing shutdowns outright. Two new committees would be created: Budget Reconciliation Committees for both the House and Senate.
Each committee would include three members appointed by the majority party, three by the minority party, and one from the unaffiliated caucus or group of independents. All would have voting rights. The Office of Management and Budget would assign a non-voting liaison to each committee, and a non-voting professional facilitator would serve as chair.
Seventy-five days before the federal budget expires, caucuses would carefully choose committee members whose positions are well understood but who are also committed to listening through the lens of “How can we use this?”
At 60 days out, each committee would meet at least weekly and meet jointly twice a month to share progress and challenges. At 30 days out, they would meet at least three times a week and jointly at least once a week.
If the federal budget deadline arrives without an agreement, the current budget simply continues – no shutdown. However, all policymakers, including members of Congress, the president and the president’s Cabinet, would forfeit their salaries until a budget is enacted, as they have not fulfilled their responsibility to the American people.
When a federal budget agreement is passed by both houses and signed into law, the new budget takes effect and back pay is restored.
Paulette Church
Durango
