Under a bill introduced Monday by Sen. Joni Ernst, President Biden would not be able to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress until he submits his budget request and national security strategy.
The Send Budget Materials and International Tactics in Time (SUBMIT) Act would block House and Senate leadership from inviting the president to his annual address until lawmakers receive those materials. .
“Well, folks, actions speak louder than words. Biden’s budget is delayed yet again,” Ernst (R-Iowa) said in a statement obtained by the Post.. “If the president is going to have the opportunity to address Congress and the nation as a whole, he should actually have a plan.”
Ernst said the bill was unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, citing two federal laws that require the president to submit both plans on the first Monday in February.
Biden, 81, is scheduled to deliver his third State of the Union address on March 7.
The Constitution requires the president to “provide Congress with information concerning the State of the Union from time to time and recommend for consideration such measures as the President deems necessary and proper.”
Like every president since Woodrow Wilson, he does not have to give a speech in person.
In response to Ernst’s proposal, a White House official told the Post, “President Biden has accepted Chairman Johnson’s invitation to address a joint session of Congress on March 7, 2024 and report on the status of unions.” Told.
“At a time when Americans are facing skyrocketing inflation and the world is on fire, we deserve more than empty rhetoric,” Ernst added. “After all, President Biden himself said, ‘Don’t show me your worth, show me your budget.'” He could consider this a month’s warning… .The clock is ticking!”
The Hawkeye State Republican specifically noted that the 1974 Budget Act requires the president to submit spending requests on the first Monday in February, but in practice they may be submitted later. .
Ernst also pointed out National Security Act of 1947 He argued that the president is required by law to present a national security strategy at the same time as his budget request.
Congress has not yet fully funded federal operations for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
Lawmakers currently need to pass the first part of four spending bills by March 1st, and the remaining eight by March 8th.
