Whose fault is the fiscal mess? Time to reform everything

They say the worst time to hit the gym is the first two weeks of January. The holiday season kicks off with Black Friday, named for when retailers shift into the black ink of profitability. Similarly, the fitness season runs from December 26 through mid-January, when gyms see a surge in memberships that boost their bottom line. About 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, with nearly half focusing on weight loss or fitness. Yet, most abandon their goals by mid-January, their good intentions fading as quickly as they appeared, leaving gyms empty.

In 1974, Congress made its own New Year’s resolution: achieve fiscal discipline through the Budget Control and Impoundment Act. Like eager gymgoers, they started strong, passing all 12 appropriation bills on time that first year. But, like those who ditch the gym, Congress repeated this success only three more times in the next 50 years — an 8% success rate, slightly better than the 6% of resolution-keepers who stick it out. For the past 27 years, Congress has failed to meet its budget deadlines, routinely relying on continuing resolutions to sidestep its own laws and keep the government running.

A Democratic Congress passed the 1974 Act to counter Republican President Nixon’s refusal to fund wasteful projects. Around the same time, Democrats introduced the Byrd Rule, named after Democrat Senator Robert Byrd. This rule now allows the Democrat-appointed Senate Parliamentarian to block conservative priorities in budget reconciliation, derailing Republican efforts to cut spending or advance taxpayer-friendly policies.

Before 1974, federal funding was ad hoc: Congress allocated money when programs were created and refilled coffers as needed. The 1974 Act set a new standard, requiring Congress to pass 12 appropriation bills annually by the fiscal year’s start. This was their self-imposed fiscal fitness plan, entirely within their control. Over 50 years, Congress has tweaked the law and added chamber-specific rules to manage proceedings, but these changes have not solved the problem.

Resolution-makers often blame the busyness of life for abandoning their goals. Congress uses a similar excuse, claiming campaigns, hearings, and governing demands prevent timely budgets. But who sets their schedule? Congress itself. Just as a struggling gym-goer might switch to walking or eating healthier, Congress could adjust its approach. Instead, they lean on continuing resolutions, avoiding the discipline needed for fiscal responsibility.

This week, Congress faces another self-imposed deadline, juggling a budget reconciliation bill, 12 appropriation bills, and a debt ceiling increase they missed last January. The House and Senate follow different rules, complicating cooperation. The Senate Parliamentarian can strike provisions that the House carefully negotiated, highlighting the chambers’ disconnect. To most Americans, this process seems needlessly complex, a bureaucratic tangle that delivers little.

The Budget Control Act’s rigid structure and the Byrd Rule’s restrictions are major reasons Congress fails to pass budgets on time. The Act’s tight deadlines overwhelm lawmakers, while the Byrd Rule blocks conservative policies, stalling progress. Voters, election after election, demand that Congress stick to its fiscal resolutions or create a better system. Solutions exist: stagger appropriation bills to spread the workload, break them into smaller pieces, or streamline the process for transparency. These changes could show taxpayers exactly where their money goes — a core conservative priority.

Congress has no one to blame but itself. Fiscal fitness, like physical fitness, demands discipline. They should prioritize spending cuts, eliminate waste, and protect taxpayer dollars. Defunding bloated programs or reforming entitlements could fund priorities like border security or infrastructure. The 1974 Act was meant to deliver fiscal discipline, but its flaws and the Byrd Rule’s roadblocks sabotage that goal. Congress could reform these rules if it chose. Failure to act means more broken promises and a government limping along on temporary fixes. It’s time for Congress to take responsibility, overhaul the budget process, and deliver the fiscal fitness America deserves.

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