Bipartisan Fiscal Forum Launched

Today marked the launch of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum, a group of lawmakers focused on drawing attention to and finding solutions for America’s unsustainable fiscal situation. The bipartisan group is co-chaired by Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI). The group's eight steering committee members are Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Ed Case (D-HI), Ron Estes (R-KS), Jared Golden (D-ME), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Blake Moore (R-UT), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).

The Bipartisan Fiscal Forum first began informally back in 2020, and since then they have played a role in the Fiscal State of the Nation resolution passing the House, surveyed members to determine their priorities, sent letters to leadership in support of fiscal reforms, and hosted candid bipartisan sessions on budget and economic policy. More than 70 current members of Congress have taken part in the group’s activities. The group holds three core beliefs: “debt costs threaten our collective future, durable solutions need bipartisan support, [and] members should focus on putting forward solutions and not tearing each other down.” 

As part of their launch, the BFF steering committee sent a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsing the creation of a fiscal commission focused on long-term issues related to the debt and deficit, as was recently suggested by Speaker McCarthy. They wrote: 

“Commissions have long played a critical role in furthering bipartisan discussions and fostering innovative ideas, policies, and legislative successes. This commission will be most effective if it is bipartisan and includes input from the House and Senate, including the committees of jurisdiction. The commission should also have broad discretion in recommending solutions without special carve outs. A comprehensive approach will allow the commission to address the national debt as well as related issues such as high inflation, escalating federal interest costs, and impending trust fund insolvency.” 

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget president Maya MacGuineas praised the group’s launch: 

“Getting our nation back on a fiscally sustainable path will require leaders from both parties to work together, and this is exactly what we have with the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF). We commend co-chairs Peters and Huizenga, along with the steering committee, for formally launching this important group. This is exactly the type of bipartisan leadership the moment requires. The initial ask of the group – to create a bipartisan Fiscal Commission – is exactly what we need in this moment.” 

Bipartisanship is necessary to find solutions to America’s fiscal problems, and the members of BFF are positioning themselves to play a constructive role in fixing our fiscal outlook.