Case and Womack Renew Efforts with the Sustainable Budget Act

Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Steve Womack (R-AR) recently reintroduced the Sustainable Budget Act (H.R. 222), which would establish an 18-member bipartisan commission tasked with developing recommendations to reduce the deficit and address the nation’s fiscal outlook. They were joined in co-introduction by Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Zach Nunn (R-IA).

The idea of establishing a bipartisan fiscal commission has been supported by lawmakers, Congressional caucuses, and various organizations. In 2024, the House Budget Committee reported out a similar bill, the Fiscal Commission Act, with bipartisan support. A bipartisan group of Senators also introduced the Fiscal Stability Act, complementing the effort in the House (see table at the bottom here comparing the minor differences).

The Sustainable Budget Act would establish a new National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, like the 2010 effort led by former Senator Al Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. The 18-member commission would develop recommendations with a non-binding goal of balancing the federal budget over ten years (excluding interest) and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The commission would include six presidential appointees – three from each party in the House and Senate and two bipartisan co-chairs. They would have one year to reach consensus, with recommendations requiring approval from 12 members, including at least four from each party.

If approved, the recommendations would be fast-tracked in Congress. The President would submit a joint resolution within 60 days, after consulting with committee leaders, and the resolution would be considered without amendments in both chambers, with the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to end debate remaining.

Representative Case said, “The U.S. national debt now stands at over $36 trillion, with interest on the debt crowding out whole segments of critical federal spending. We appear trapped in a continuing cycle of further $1 trillion-plus annual deficits and accelerating overall debt. Our annual interest costs now surpass national defense, surpass Medicare, and surpass all non-mandatory, non-defense programs (veterans, education, transportation, etc.) combined.”

Representative Womack also stated, “The exploding national debt is one of the greatest threats to our country. America faces many current and future challenges, which cannot be adequately addressed if we continue down an unsustainable path of fiscal irresponsibility. This bipartisan commission will be tasked with making difficult, yet necessary, decisions to right the financial ship and protect the futures of our children and grandchildren.”

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said the following in response to the reintroduction of the Sustainable Budget Act:

"We commend Representatives Case and Womack, along with co-introducers Representatives Peters and Nunn, for working together in a bipartisan fashion to put forward the Sustainable Budget Act. This legislation would create a commission to serve as a venue for constructive bipartisan negotiations to improve our country’s fiscal future. We applaud them for introducing this bill to pursue bipartisan solutions to reduce our nation’s debt."

We appreciate the efforts of these lawmakers in actively seeking solutions to improve the nation’s fiscal situation. Without action, escalating debt threatens our economy, critical safety net programs face insolvency, and our position as a global financial leader is placed in jeopardy. Read more about other budget process reform ideas and proposals in our Better Budget Process Initiative.