H.R. 113 — Budget Process Enhancement Act

This section revises the baseline calculation under section 257(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 by excluding resources designated as an emergency requirement and resources provided in supplemental appropriation laws from the “current year” comparison, striking paragraphs (2) through (5), redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (2), and adding a new paragraph (3) that prohibits any adjustment for inflation or any other factor. (Thus, the provision narrows the baseline used for budget enforcement and eliminates inflation adjustments.)

This section requires the payroll administrator of each House of Congress to place in escrow all Member compensation otherwise payable during the period beginning April 16, 2025, and ending on the earlier of the date that House agrees to a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2026 or the last day of the 118th Congress, if that House has not agreed to such a budget resolution by April 15, 2025. (Thus, Members of Congress, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, would not receive those salary payments until the escrow period ends.) The section also requires normal withholding and remittance from escrowed payments, directs the release of any remaining escrowed amounts on the last day of the 118th Congress to avoid violating the 27th Amendment, and authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to assist the House and Senate payroll administrators in carrying out the provision.

This section directs the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management to determine annually whether the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget complied with the requirement under 31 U.S.C. § 1105 to submit the President’s budget on time, and to notify the Chairs of the Senate and House Budget and Appropriations Committees in writing within 3 days after the budget is due.

This section prohibits the use of appropriated funds or other Treasury funds to pay the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Deputy Director of OMB, and the Deputy Director for Management of OMB during any period of noncompliance determined by the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management under section 202 for failing to timely submit the President’s budget to Congress. It also bars retroactive pay for those officials for any such noncompliance period after that period ends.

This section provides that sections 202 and 203 take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.