Senate Budget Committee

Supporting Broad-Based Economic Growth and Fiscal Responsibility through Tax Reform

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:30:00 EST

Witnesses:

Michael Linden
Managing Director, Economic Policy
Center for American Progress

Adam Looney, PhD
Senior Fellow, Economic Studies
The Brookings Institution

Veronique de Rugy, PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Mercatus Center at George Mason University

The Nomination of Brian C. Deese, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:00 EST

On Tuesday, May, 21^st 2013, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the confirmation of Brian Deese to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

READ Chairman Murray’s full statement on the Nomination of Brian Deese.

Silo Busting: Effective Strategies for Government Reorganization

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 EST

The Committee on the Budget and the Task Force on Government Performance held a hearing on Silo Busting: Effective Strategies for Government Reorganization

The President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal and Veterans’ Program Proposals

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST

On Tuesday, April 23^rd, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. At this hearing, Secretary Eric Shinseki testified on the veterans’ program proposals in the President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget. In addition to questioning Secretary Shinseki about the Department’s ongoing efforts to provide the care and benefits our veterans have earned, Murray asked Secretary Shinseki to address his recent announcement about Department plans to reduce the claims backlog by expediting the processing of benefit claims that have been pending for a year or more.

In response to the announcement, Murray questioned Secretary Shinseki specifically about the effects of the expedited process, “Secretary Shinseki and Secretary Hickey, as I mentioned, your announcement of a new initiative to expedite claims that have been waiting over a year is encouraging. I am glad to see the Department is taking action, but I have some questions about how it will be implemented. If VA determines the veteran’s final rating is lower than the provisional rating, will the Department seek to recover money already paid to the veteran?”

Key Excerpts from Murray’s opening statement:

“One of the newest developments is VA’s recent announcement that it will focus on expediting claims that have been pending for more than a year by granting “provisional” ratings. This will allow veterans to receive benefits while their claims are finalized. I am pleased the Department is taking action and trying a new initiative to make a difference for our veterans. But I still have a number of questions about how this will be implemented. Certainly we cannot maintain the status quo, where almost 70 percent of veterans are waiting 125 days or more for their claims.”

“As I have said before, not every veteran will be affected by these invisible wounds. But when a veteran has the courage to stand up and ask for help, VA must be there every single time. VA must be there with not only timely access to care, but also the right type of care.”

“This is especially important at a time when 22 veterans per day are taking their own lives. VA has a number of good initiatives, such as the Veterans Crisis Line and the Suicide Prevention Coordinators, but clearly we still need to do more.”

“I will also continue working to end the terrible epidemic of military sexual assault in the services. In the coming days, I will introduce legislation to help prevent sexual assault and protect the victims. And at the same time, VA must continue to provide for those suffering from M.S.T. Only a small fraction of sexual assaults in the military are reported. So VA must provide both the highest quality treatments, but also outreach and screening to help these victims get into care.”

“Getting our veterans into education programs, into good jobs, or starting small businesses doesn’t benefit just the veteran. It helps us grow our economy and the middle class. It builds on the investments we have made in our veterans, as they continue to help our communities, our businesses, and fellow veterans.”

Read Chairman Murray's opening statement HERE.

The Nomination of The Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 EST

On April 17, 2013, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a markup on the nomination of Sylvia Burwell to the position of Director of OMB. The nomination passed through the Committee on a voice vote with strong bipartisan support and will now head to the Senate floor.

Murray released the following statement following the vote: “Sylvia Burwell is an extremely qualified and exceptional choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget and I am very glad that her nomination was approved by the Senate Budget Committee with strong bipartisan support. I am confident that she is going to do a great job at OMB working to boost the economy and tackle our deficit and debt in a balanced way, and I am looking forward to the full Senate approving her nomination as quickly as possible.”

Burwell testified on the need for a pro-growth approach and about her past experiences in the public and private sectors at a Senate Budget Committee Hearing on April 10th. Burwell’s full testimony can be found here.

The confirmation now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote.

Full Transcript

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETING ON THE NOMINATION OF THE HONORABLE SYLVIA MATHEWS BURWELL, OF WEST VIRGINIA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF THEOFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

- - -

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

United States Senate,
Committee on the Budget,
Washington, D.C.

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 4:28 p.m., in Room s-216, The Capitol, Hon. Patty Murray, Chairman of the Committee, presiding.

Present: Senators Murray, Wyden, Nelson, Sanders, Whitehouse, Warner, Merkley, Coons, Baldwin, Kaine, King, Sessions, Graham, Portman, Johnson; and Wicker. Staff Present: Evan T. Schatz, Majority Staff Director; and Marcus Peacock, Minority Staff Director.

Chairman Murray. The Committee will come to order.

Thank you, everybody, for coming in real quick. We are meeting to vote on the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Everybody is busy so I am just going to move straight to a vote. Anyone who would like to submit a statement for the record, you are open to do that until 5:00 p.m. tomorrow and we will hold this open for a short amount of time for our other Committee members to vote, if they are running late.

So unless, Senator Sessions, do you have anything?

Senator Sessions. Just thank you, Madame Chair. I think this is appropriate, not always I would agree to this. But she was a very delightful person and able. Perhaps, in a time of fiscal crisis, it is the toughest job in Washington. It would be if I were President. That person would be the one--

Chairman Murray. That is why we have a woman taking over.

[Laughter.]

Senator Sessions. So I would just say it is a tough job. I think she will be honest with us. She said she would get her reports in on time. I think a voice vote is appropriate.

Chairman Murray. Great.

Senator Sessions. I did think it is important to say that she did promise she would do these reports on time and I think it should be able to be done next year.

Senator Sanders. But Jeff, most importantly, have you announced your intention to run for President?

[Laughter.]

Senator Sessions. You can be sure that is one you will not need to worry about.

[Laughter.]

Chairman Murray. The question before the Committee is the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be Director of Office of Management and Budget. A quorum is present. I move the Committee report this nomination to the full Senate.

Senator Whitehouse. Second.

Chairman Murray. A second is heard.

All those in favor, say aye.

[Chorus of ayes.]

Chairman Murray. Opposed, nay.

[No response.]

Chairman Murray. The nomination is passed.

Thank you very much.

[Whereupon, at 4:30 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]

The President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget and Revenue Proposals

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget and Revenue proposals. At this hearing, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew testified on the President’s proposal and its approach to reducing the deficit through responsible spending cuts as well as raising new revenue from those who can afford it most by closing loopholes and ending wasteful deductions—which is also the approach taken in the Senate Budget.

Secretary Jacob Lew testified on the revenue proposals in the President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, “The proposals in the Budget are targeted at growth and opportunity – cutting where we can and investing where we will see the strongest return, both now and into the future. Specifically, the Budget calls for increased investment in innovation and infrastructure to make the United States a more attractive place for job creation. It introduces initiatives to bolster education and worker training so Americans have the necessary skills to compete in a global economy. And it puts forward policies that are designed to give all Americans the opportunity to share in the benefits of economic growth. These measures will help grow and strengthen the middle class, which has been the key engine of prosperity in the United States. Additionally, they are fully paid for, so they will not add to the deficit.”

Secretary Lew’s full testimony can be found here.

Key Excerpts from Murray’s opening statement:

“At a time when we are looking for savings everywhere to address our debt and deficit, finding ways to both make our tax code fairer and help reduce our deficit just makes sense. And addressing tax earmarks for special interests, like tax subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and the special tax rates applicable to hedge fund managers’ income, should be at the top of our list. We should also address the tens of billions of dollars lost each year to offshore tax abuse. And the nearly $400 billion the IRS has told us we lose each year to the tax gap.”

“The Senate has passed our budget, the House passed their budget, and the President weighed in with a bipartisan path forward, and now we need to do everything we can to get to a balanced and fair agreement. And an essential part of any agreement will be asking the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations to pay their fair share.”

“This process, which I would think my Republican colleagues would want to begin as soon as possible, will require tough choices on both sides. Democrats have consistently shown we are willing to do so. And now it’s on Republicans to join us at the table ready to compromise.”

Read Chairman Murray's Opening Statement HERE.

Budget Committee Hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 02:00:00 EST

Thursday, April 11th, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal.

Acting OMB Director Jeffrey Zients testified on the President’s proposal, “The right prescription to address these challenges is to combine smart, targeted investments in areas critical for economic growth and competitiveness, with deficit reduction that will boost confidence and certainty by putting the nation on a sound long-term fiscal trajectory. The Budget does just that – offering a plan for deficit reduction that is phased in to avoid harming the economic recovery, and includes protections for the most vulnerable. At the same time, it preserves high priority investments that will enhance economic growth and private sector job creation.”

Acting Director Zients full testimony can be found here.

Key Excerpts from Murray’s opening statement:

“So President Obama has made it very clear that the proposal we are discussing today doesn’t reflect his thoughts on the ideal policy, and it certainly doesn’t represent any kind of new starting point for negotiations.”

“It’s not the budget I would write on my own, and it includes several policies that I don’t think are the best ways to tackle the deficit and debt.”

“While this proposal reflects President Obama’s compromise offer, I was very glad to see that the President maintained his commitment to putting jobs and broad-based economic growth first. I know us Democrats here in the Senate feel very strongly that protecting our fragile economic recovery is paramount. The budget we passed reflects that, and any deal we come to would have to work for middle class families and the economy as well.”

“The Senate Budget we passed last month reflects where I think our country needs to be, as well as the pro-growth, pro-middle class values and priorities of Senate Democrats and the vast majority of the American people as we move into negotiations with the House. And I am hopeful that Republicans will come to the table and show they are willing to compromise to get a deal.”

Read Chairman Murray's opening statement HERE.

The Nomination of The Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST

Today, Wednesday, April 10th, Chairman Murray and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Sylvia Burwell to the position of Director of OMB.

Ms. Burwell testified on the need for a pro-growth approach and her past experiences in the public and private sectors, “If I am confirmed, my primary focus will be to contribute to achieving balanced deficit reduction, increased efficiency and effectiveness in how government works, and targeted investments that grow the economy and create jobs….From my experience in the Clinton Administration – at OMB, the White House, and the Treasury Department – I learned the importance of working together in a bipartisan fashion to get things done. I saw first-hand how the deficit reduction agreements of the late 1990s were reached. I know that we all come to the table with firm convictions and the belief that we know the right answer.

“We also come with the same conviction to serve the American people, which I hope will drive us to find common ground to move the country forward….As someone who has been out of the government now for 12 years, I am hopeful that I can bring a fresh perspective to the fiscal debates underway. From my positions at the Walmart Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and as a Director at MetLife, I have seen the important role that both the government and private sector play in the lives of the American people.”

Ms. Burwell’s full testimony can be found here.

Key Excerpts from Murray’s opening statement:

“That’s why now, more than ever, it is so important that we continue to have strong leadership at the Office of Budget Management. Which is why I am pleased that we have such a qualified and exceptional nominee in Sylvia Burwell.”

“The lessons of the ‘90s are vital to the discussions we are having today about our budget and our economy. So I believe Sylvia’s experience working on a balanced, responsible approach to deficit reduction will bring important knowledge and a key perspective to OMB.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to sit down personally with Sylvia and to discuss the approach she will take to these important issues. I am confident that she possesses the kind of experience, integrity, and expertise necessary to succeed in this position. And that she will work to tackle our debt and deficit issues in a balanced way, by prioritizing fairness, opportunity, and a return to the responsible fiscal and economic policies that have worked for our country before.”

Watch Chairman Murray give her opening statement.

Mark-Up of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2014

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST

Washington D.C.—Today, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 by a vote of 12-10 with the support of all the Democrats and Independents on the Committee. The budget resolution now proceeds to the Senate floor.

Chairman Patty Murray released the following statement following the vote:

“The pro-growth budget plan we advanced today takes the balanced and responsible approach to our fiscal and economic challenges that the American people expect and deserve.

“This budget reflects the values and priorities of the vast majority of the American public who believe we should put jobs and the economy first, tackle our debt and deficit responsibly, and keep the promises we’ve made to our seniors, veterans, and families.

“The Senate budget takes a very different approach than the plan proposed by House Republicans. Their budget doubles down on the policies the American people rejected last election. It would be devastating for the middle class and the economy, it would dismantle Medicare and the programs families depend on—and it would do all that while protecting the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations from paying their fair share. The House Republican plan is anything but balanced, and it’s anything but fair.

“Despite the significant differences in the approaches we have taken, I am hopeful that we can work together toward a balanced, responsible, and bipartisan deal. It won’t be easy, but the families we represent are looking to us to move past the gridlock and dysfunction that is hurting our economy and costing jobs.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Committee for their hard work as we put this budget together with a lot of input from outside the Committee and from members of the public across the country.”

Foundation for Growth: Restoring the Promise of American Opportunity

Summary of the Senate Budget plan

Read the full Senate Budget plan

Legislative text

Summary Tables

Mark-Up of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2014

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST

On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Budget Committee members delivered opening statements and Chairman Murray released her pro-growth budget proposal.

Read Chairman Murray's opening statement

Reducing the Deficit by Eliminating Wasteful Spending in the Tax Code

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C.— Today, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing with policy experts on tackling the deficit in a balanced and fair manner, rather than solely by cutting programs that are critical to families, seniors, and communities nation-wide. Majority witnesses included Edward D. Kleinbard, Professor of Law, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and Jared Bernstein, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Members and witnesses discussed the impact of tax expenditures on the deficit, and the need to close loopholes and eliminate wasteful and unfair spending in the tax code.

Professor Kleinbard testified on the effects of tax expenditures and the need for tax reform, “The United States can afford to increase the total taxes it collects as a fraction of GDP. Just a decade ago, the country ran budget surpluses and enjoyed both a robust economy and job growth, while tax collections exceeded 20 percent of GDP…. this means directly tackling some of the deliberate Congressional subsidy programs baked into the tax code, which is to say, tax expenditures.” Professor Kleinbard’s full testimony can be found here.

Dr. Bernstein testified that tax expenditures’ usefulness, or lack thereof, should be assessed using a three-part test. He noted, “Members will not be surprised that it is far too easy to find many tax expenditures that are ‘trifectas’: they forego significant revenue, they induce inefficiencies, and they return most of their benefits to the wealthiest households, boosting after-tax inequality and failing on the fairness criterion.” Dr. Bernstein’s full testimony can be found here.

Key excerpts from Murray’s opening statement

“Now, there’s no question that we do need to look at government programs carefully, so that we can make fair, responsible cuts that put families and our economy first. But a big source of spending, and one that deserves to be just as closely examined, is expenditures in our tax code. While we don’t often think of tax expenditures as a form of spending, they require us to make the same kinds of tradeoffs that other forms of government spending would, and lots of them.

“There’s no good reason, for example, that taxpayers currently subsidize millionaires more, when they purchase a second home, or a yacht, than they do middle class families purchasing their first home. And why should a hedge fund manager pay a lower tax rate on his income than a soldier, police officer or a teacher?

“If the goal of our budget plan is to strengthen the middle class and work towards broad-based economic growth, finding savings from unfair tax provisions is an opportunity to responsibly reduce our deficit, and invest in our future.

“Just as we have got to bring down our deficits and debt, we’ve got to make sure we’re educating our workforce for the 21^st century. We need to repair our roads, bridges and airways so that businesses can move their people and products efficiently. And we need to invest in research and development so we can continue growing new industries in the United States, rather than ceding those new industries, and the jobs that come with them, to China or India.

“So at a time when we absolutely must cut where we can, looking at ways we can close special tax breaks that aren’t targeted to help the middle class or our economy just makes sense. Especially when, by making these adjustments, we can stop giving an unfair advantage to those who are already doing far better than most Americans, and instead focus on making crucial investments in our future, while cutting our deficit in a fair way.”

Text of Senator Murray's Opening Statement

The Impact of Federal Investments on People, Communities, and Long-Term Economic Growth

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, Tuesday, February 26, 2013, Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the impact of federal investments on families, communities and long-term and broad-based economic growth. The hearing covered the importance of smart investments in our future prosperity that come from investing in people through education and job training; developing and repairing our national infrastructure; and investing in research and development to boost innovation and national competitiveness. This hearing came days before automatic cuts from sequestration are scheduled to slash federal investments across-the-board.

Key excerpts from Murray’s opening statement

“There’s no question getting our debt and deficit under control is a challenge we have to confront. But we have many other challenges we can’t ignore. We need to repair our crumbling roads, bridges and highways. We need to ensure our students receive an education that offers them the opportunities they deserve, and ensures our nation has a skilled workforce for the 21st century. And we need to fight to maintain our edge in research and innovation, because the next Apple, Microsoft or Google should be started right here in the U.S.”

“The fact is that if we slash our investments in infrastructure like roads and bridges, we aren’t really saving money at all. We are making things worse. We are weakening our basis for private investment and economic growth, we are putting public safety at risk, and congestion is taxing families’ time with painfully long commutes and health-threatening pollution. ”

“When we slash investments in our schools, Pell Grants, or worker training programs, we increase our skills and education deficit. This isn’t good for our students and workers, and it is devastating for our economy over the long term. Investments in education, from early childhood programs through college, are some of the smartest the federal government can make."

“We simply can’t expect our economy to grow in a way that creates broad-based prosperity if we continue allowing our skills and education deficit to increase. If our businesses are going to be creating 21st century jobs, we need our students and workers to have 21st century skills..”

"I believe smart federal investments will create jobs and help the middle class right now, they will help lay down a strong foundation for long-term and broad based economic growth and they will help position our country and our economy to compete and win in the 21st century global economy."

" I am hopeful that the bipartisan work can continue to make sure we leave our children a stronger country than the one we received. And I am looking forward to engaging the American public in this debate that is so central to their economic future."

Text of Senator Murray's Opening Statement

Video of Senator Murray's Opening Statement

The Impact of Federal Budget Decisions on Families and Communities

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:30:00 EST

Washington, D.C.— Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing with members of the public and policy experts on the impact of federal budget decisions on families and communities. This hearing was part of Chairman Murray’s continued efforts to make sure the values and priorities of families across the country are heard loud and clear in a budget process that too often denies them a seat at the table. Witnesses included Tara Marks of Ada, OH, Patrick Murray of Arlington, VA and Robert Greenstein with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C.

Members and witnesses discussed the importance of job training, education, healthcare and other programs to the middle class and most vulnerable families.

Tara Marks shared her personal experience as a mother struggling to make ends meet, “I was able to lift Nathan and myself out of poverty by finishing school. SNAP was a critical factor in my success. Having SNAP benefits allowed me to focus energy on school so that I could support us.” Read Tara Marks’ full testimony here.

Patrick Murray, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, told the Committee about his circumstances, “When I arrived at Walter Reed, I knew my life had changed forever. Fortunately, thanks to the programs funded through this committee, whether through the National Defense Authorization or the VA/Military Construction Budget, transitioning service members in situations like mine have the tools to succeed, and I have the opportunity to sit before you today and share my story. Offering Veterans the tools to properly transition back to civilian life, further their education, and ultimately their careers is a benefit to not only the individual veteran, but to our country as a whole.” Read Patrick Murray’s full testimony here.

Robert Greenstein, President, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, testified on the impact of budget decisions, “Deficit reduction should be secured through well-designed, balanced policies that do not impede the economic recovery and don’t jeopardize future productivity growth (by providing inadequate resources for areas like education, infrastructure, and basic research), don’t increase poverty and inequality (which already are larger in the United States than in most of the Western world), and don’t sacrifice health care quality or access or raise overall U.S. health care costs. The quantity of deficit reduction over the next ten years is not the only important issue; the quality of the deficit reduction measures adopted matters as well.” Read Robert Greenstein’s full testimony here.

Members of the public are encouraged to share their stories, ideas, and priorities at MyBudget, Senator Murray’s online platform: http://budget.senate.gov/democratic/index.cfm/mybudget.

Text of Chairman Murray's Opening Statement

Video of Chairman Murray's Opening Statement

The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013-2023

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:30:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the CBO's Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013-2023. Dr. Douglas Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, was the sole witness.

Key excerpts from Chairman Murray’s opening statement

“The CBO outlook makes it clear that, while we still have more work to do, the $2.4 trillion in deficit reduction we enacted over the last two years has moved us closer to stabilizing the debt and responsibly scaling back the deficit. We need to continue working to cut spending responsibly, protect and strengthen programs like Medicare, and raise revenue by closing tax loopholes that the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations take advantage of.”

“Budget issues have received a lot of attention over the past few years, but the conversation is too often focused on abstract numbers and the partisan back-and-forth. Budgets, however, are about far more than this. They are reflections of our values, our priorities, and our vision for what our government, our country, and our economy should look like now and in the future.”

“When he was sworn in, President Clinton promised to tackle the deficit while continuing to invest in jobs and the middle class. I bought into that vision—and I was proud to help make it a reality. When his bill to raise the tax rate on the highest-earning Americans passed the Senate and House—without a single Republican vote—the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee at the time said it would —‘devastate the economy.’ Others predicted calamity along similar lines. But as we all know now, it didn’t work out that way. The unemployment rate went from 7.3% at the beginning of 1993, to 3.9% at the end of 2000. Over the course of those 8 years, 22 million jobs were created. The economy grew at an average rate of 4%. Our work in the 90s proved that calling on the wealthy to pay their fair share is not incompatible with strong economic growth. In fact, it is strongly associated with the kind of broad-based growth that helps the middle class prosper and expand.

“I will work with anyone to tackle our debt and deficit responsibly, but as I’ve told Senator Sessions and others—I feel very strongly that it just doesn’t make sense to replace our budget deficit with deficits in education, infrastructure and research and development. If we cut our budget deficit by giving up on the investments we need to compete globally in the 21^st century economy, then we will not have done right by our economy today—and certainly not for the generations to come.”

Read Chairman Murray's entire opening statement

Video of Chairman Murray's opening statement

Mark-Up of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:00:00 EST

There was a mark-up of the Committee on the Budget on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at 2:00 PM in Room SD-608 to consider the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013.

Chairman Conrad's Opening Statement and Additional Remarks
Charts Used in the Description of the Fiscal Commission Budget Plan
The Fiscal Commission Budget Plan
The Fiscal Commission Budget Plan's Tables
The Fiscal Commission Budget Plan's Legislative Language
Chairman Conrad's Floor Speech on the Fiscal Commission Budget Plan
Charts Used During Floor Speech on the Fiscal Commission Budget Plan

FULL HEARING AUDIO

Field Hearing: Multi-Year Surface Transportation Bill: Key to Infrastructure Investments

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a field hearing in West Fargo, ND on April 5, 2012, to hear testimony about the importance of a multi-year surface transportation bill and infrastructure investment.

Listen to part 1 of the audio (File is large and may take a moment to load)

Listen to part 2 of the audio (File is large and may take a moment to load)

Field Hearing: Devils Lake Flood Response: Next Steps

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:30:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a field hearing in Devils Lake, ND on April 4, 2012, to hear testimony about the next steps needed in the Devils Lake Flood Response.

Listen to Audio Part 1 (This is a large file and may take a moment to load)

Listen to Audio Part 2 (This is a large file and may take a moment to load)

Field Hearing: Rebuilding After a Disaster: The Role of Community Development Block Grants

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:00:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a field hearing in Minot, ND on April 3, 2012, to hear testimony about the Role of Community Development Block Grants.

Listen to part one of an audio transcript here (This is a very large file that may take a moment to load)

Listen to part two of an audio transcript here (This is a very large file that may take a moment to load)

Hearing: Perspectives on the FY 2013 Budget Request for Department of Defense

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the FY 2013 budget request for the Department of Defense. Three expert witnesses testified.

Tax Reform to Encourage Growth, Reduce the Deficit, and Promote Fairness

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on tax reform to encourage growth, reduce the deficit, and promote fairness. Three expert witnesses testified.