Womack testifies on budget process

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., appeared before the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of overhauling what he called a “broken budget process.”

Also testifying was U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y.

The lawmakers were cochairs of last year’s Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, which looked for ways to update and improve the system.

That committee heard from academics, think tank members and high-profile lawmakers, including thenHouse Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Ultimately, committee members came up with a set of proposed changes, including switching to biennial budgeting while continuing with yearly appropriations. They also called for the House and Senate budget committees to hold an annual hearing on the “fiscal state of the nation.”

The package failed to receive the supermajority vote required for passage.

While the previous effort fell short, the former Rogers mayor urged colleagues to keep trying.

“My goal is to get something enacted into law that improves our process,” Womack said.

Incremental change is OK, he said.

“Since it is football season, I would encourage you to obtain some first downs, rather than throwing a Hail Mary for a touchdown,” he said. “The Joint Select Committee work product represents a bipartisan and bicameral step forward for incremental reform.”