U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma, introduced the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act to the House of Representatives in June.
Rep. Hern first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress.
The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce a macroeconomic impact analysis, or dynamic score, on major legislation in Congress.
Dynamic scoring gives a more accurate analysis of how legislation impacts the economy, in addition to the budget cost estimate that CBO produces.
“Our Congress is weaker without dynamic scoring in place,” said Hern. “It used to be the standard, but was written out of the House rules when Speaker Pelosi took back the gavel in 2019. We need an earnest, dedicated effort to return to fiscally sound policymaking on Capitol Hill.
“Both parties have contributed to the problem, but it’s time to move beyond finger pointing and name calling and do something about it. The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act will give us the full picture of how pending legislation will impact the economy and our deficits, a helpful tool for legislators of all parties to better understand the bills we vote on in Congress.”
Rep. Hern has five original co-sponsors: Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). He has also received support from key fiscal policy groups.
“By requiring the Congressional Budget Office to reveal the true costs or gains of major legislation, Rep. Hern’s legislation will provide a clear picture of the real economic impact of legislation that would affect all Americans. The act is a strong step on the path to fiscal sanity and fiscal certainty, and all Members of Congress should support this commonsense legislation,” said Garrett Bess, vice president of Heritage Action.
“The most important aspect of The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act is that dynamic scoring will be incorporated into the legislative process, ensuring that members of Congress understand the full benefits of pro-growth fiscal policies,” said David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.