On Tuesday, June 14 the Senate subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security held a hearing on accountability and results in federal budgeting. Specifically, the hearing was held to investigate the specific metrics and tools used by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to measure the effectiveness of federal programs, the advantages and disadvantages of using these systems of measurement, and how information obtained is used to increase accountability in federal budgeting.

After House Republican leadership avoided the derailment of the FY 2006 budget resolution by a small group of House conservatives over a standoff about budget process rules, the movement to change those rules in Congress has picked up steam once again. This time, however, the group of conservative House Republicans has enlisted the help of a powerful ally: Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX).

The latest emergency supplemental spending bill (H.R. 1268) was held up as House and Senate conferees struggled to reach an agreement regarding specifics for the bill before leaving town April 29 for the week-long May recess. The bill, which will mainly fund war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, was held up due to disagreements over provisions regarding immigration, border security funding, and earmarks for special projects and programs.

Last week, after lengthy negotiations, House and Senate Republican leaders finally agreed to a set of compromises in the fiscal year 2006 (FY06) budget resolution that allowed both chambers to narrowly pass the legislation. Negotiated behind closed doors, the final budget resolution is a dishonest and irresponsible agreement that will weaken both the federal government and the U.S. economy -- and negatively impact most Americans. Most striking is that it provides another tax break for the wealthy and cuts programs to needy and middle-income Americans while still increasing the deficit.