Bill > S1679

This bill, the Budget Reform Act of 2011, proposes significant changes to the Congressional budget process by shifting from annual to biennial budgeting, meaning that budget resolutions and appropriations will be made for two-year periods instead of one. A key provision requires that budget resolutions, which outline the government's spending and revenue plans, must be enacted as "joint resolutions" signed by the President, rather than the current "concurrent resolutions" which do not require presidential approval. This aims to increase presidential involvement and accountability in the budget process. The bill also establishes procedures for handling presidential vetoes of these joint budget resolutions and allows for their revision. To prevent government shutdowns, it includes provisions for provisional continuing appropriations if regular appropriation bills or continuing resolutions are not enacted on time. Furthermore, the bill mandates that government strategic and performance plans also be developed on a biennial basis.