The Budget Resolution Should Be a Law

Among the various meanings of the word resolution are "a course of determined action" and "a solution to a problem." The emphasis in concurrent budget resolutions has been on the expression of the preferred course of Congress. A possible effect of making the budget resolution a joint resolution would be to shift the process somewhat toward an interbranch search for a solution to the budget deficit problem. While some conflict between the branches is natural, a joint resolution could create the expectation that the branches would begin negotiations early in the process. This would reduce the effort currently expended in simply deciding to hold negotiations. By granting the president a formal role in preparation of the budget resolution, Congress would acknowledge that the president is a constitutionally equal partner in the consideration of budget legislation.