January 28, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 18 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 35--PROVIDING FOR A JOINT HEARING OF THE 
 COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET OF THE SENATE AND THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET 
  OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE 
    COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING THE AUDITED 
              FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

  Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. King) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Budget:

                            S. Con. Res. 35

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This resolution may be cited as the ``Fiscal State of the 
     Nation Resolution''.

     SEC. 2. ANNUAL JOINT HEARING OF BUDGET COMMITTEES TO RECEIVE 
                   A PRESENTATION BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 45 days (excluding 
     Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after the date on which the 
     Secretary of the Treasury submits to Congress the audited 
     financial statement required under paragraph (1) of section 
     331(e) of title 31, United States Code, on a date agreed upon 
     by the chairmen of the Budget Committees and the Comptroller 
     General of the United States, the chairmen shall conduct a 
     joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller 
     General--
       (1) reviewing the findings of the audit required under 
     paragraph (2) of such section; and
       (2) providing, with respect to the information included by 
     the Secretary in the report accompanying such audited 
     financial statement, an analysis of the financial position 
     and condition of the Federal Government, including financial 
     measures (such as the net operating cost, income, budget 
     deficits, or budget surpluses) and sustainability measures 
     (such as the long-term fiscal projection or social insurance 
     projection) described in such report.
       (b) Presentation of Statement in Accordance With GAO 
     Strategies and Means.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall ensure that the presentation at each joint 
     hearing conducted under subsection (a) is made in accordance 
     with the Strategies and Means of the Government 
     Accountability Office, to ensure that the presentation will 
     provide professional, objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, 
     nonideological, fair, and balanced information to the Members 
     attending the hearing.
       (c) Rules Applicable to Hearing.--
       (1) In general.--Each joint hearing conducted by the 
     chairmen of Budget Committees under subsection (a) shall be 
     conducted in accordance with Standing Rules of the Senate and 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives which apply to such 
     a hearing, including the provisions requiring hearings 
     conducted by committees to be open to the public, including 
     to radio, television, and still photography coverage.
       (2) Permitting participation by senators and members not 
     serving on budget committees.--Notwithstanding any provision 
     of the Standing Rules of the Senate or the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives, any Senator and any Member of the House 
     of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to the Congress) may participate in a joint 
     hearing under subsection (a) in the same manner and to the 
     same extent as a Senator or Member of the House of 
     Representatives who is a member of either of the Budget 
     Committees.
       (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Budget 
     Committees'' means the Committee on the Budget of the Senate 
     and the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (e) Effective Date.--The requirement under subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to any audited financial statement 
     under section 331(e)(1) of title 31, United States Code, 
     submitted on or after the date of adoption of this 
     resolution.

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