The Omnibus Spending Bill and the Budget Process

OMB Watch - The Omnibus Spending Bill and the Budget Process

The omnibus appropriations legislation is still pending. While most of the criticism about the bill has focused on the amount of "pork" it contains, the real problem is the seriously flawed budget process it reflects.

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The larger point is not the earmarks. The real reason we should care about this omnibus spending bill is because it represents a serious breakdown in the budget process for 2004. One problem is the lack of congressional oversight on the massive bill. Also of major concern is the lack of government accountability to citizens on how their tax dollars really get appropriated. Additionally, the minority party has not been privy to the discussions of compromise for the omnibus bill. In fact, balance of power has shifted to the executive branch, leaving compromises between the President and his party.

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