What They Are Saying: Leaders Stress Need for Womack’s Budgeting for a Better America Act as National Debt Hits $40 Trillion

This press release from Representative Steve Womack (R-AR) was published on 2026-08-19 and titled "What They Are Saying: Leaders Stress Need for Womack’s Budgeting for a Better America Act as National Debt Hits $40 Tril".

What They Are Saying: Leaders Stress Need for Womack’s Budgeting for a Better America Act as National Debt Hits $40 Trillion

WASHINGTON, D.C.—August 19, 2026… Representatives Steve Womack (AR-3), Ed Case (HI-1), Bill Huizenga (MI-4), and Scott Peters (CA-50) recently introduced the Budgeting for a Better America Act . This bill would require Congress to adopt a biennial budget framework, establish a bipartisan fiscal commission, and implement other good governance reforms. The time for reform is now as the national debt surpassed $40 trillion this week. In response to this grim milestone, Congressman Womack said, “This is yet another sobering realization for lawmakers that we can no longer delay addressing the fiscal state of our nation. Our record level of debt threatens our national security, strains our vital safety net programs, and creates a cascade of negative consequences for Americans from Main Street to Wall Street. Congress must come together expeditiously to pursue bipartisan solutions that responsibly rein in runaway spending before it is too late–the future prosperity of our nation depends on it.” In 2018 as House Budget Committee Chairman, Congressman Womack led the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform tasked with addressing Congress’ broken budget process. Building on the Committee’s recommendations, the Budgeting for a Better America Act incorporates additional reforms to improve transparency and develop policies to address the long-term debt. Here’s what leading experts across the country are saying: Maya MacGuineas, President of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said, “Representatives Womack, Case, Huizenga, and Peters, along with other supporters, deserve real credit for putting forward a serious bipartisan bill to help Congress budget more responsibly. It is especially encouraging to see leaders in the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum continue advancing constructive, bipartisan ideas to improve the budget process and confront our fiscal challenges. Getting back to a responsible budget will not be easy, and tough choices still lie ahead, but improving the budget process and creating a credible commission are important steps in the right direction.” Leon Panetta, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and former Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said, “In our democracy, we govern either by leadership or by crisis. For too long, Washington has governed by crisis, delaying the hard fiscal decisions until the last minute while our debt climbs to record levels and the current budget process has stopped working. This is not sustainable and threatens the future of our economy, our national security, and the promise that our children can have a better, more prosperous life. I commend Representatives Womack, Peters, Huizenga, and Case for their courage to lead. Their Budgeting for a Better America Act would create a bipartisan path to stabilize the debt, improve our budget process, and empower Congress with the tools and foresight needed to confront our long-term challenges before they become a crisis.” Rob Portman, former Director of OMB and former senator from Ohio, said, “As a former Director of OMB and a former member of the House and Senate Budget Committees, I know firsthand the difficulties Congress faces in getting our fiscal house in order. It is clear we need creative solutions addressing the shortfalls in our current budget and appropriations process, and this legislation provides that path forward. The Budgeting for a Better America Act is an all of the above approach. It addresses the delays that plague our current budgeting process, asks more of our budget resolutions to ensure Congress has the full fiscal picture, and shines light on the nation's long-term fiscal outlook—making members accountable for our untenable fiscal state. I thank Representatives Womack, Case, Huizenga, and Peters for their work on this legislation.” John Yarmuth, former Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said, “ I strongly support the Budgeting for a Better America Act by Representatives Womack, Peters, Huizenga, and Case. Congressman Womack and I worked together on this legislation in the 117th Congress in order to promote a more thoughtful and farsighted perspective on our national finances. Annual budgeting has failed to be a sensible and effective process, and it is time to try a new approach.” Asa Hutchinson, former Governor of Arkansas and former member of Congress, said, “The challenge of deficit federal spending has been neglected for over 25 years. Our budget was last balanced at the turn of the century when our country was debating the threat of Y2K. The deficit crisis is a fixable problem, and the Budgeting for a Better America Act is a bold bipartisan strategy that will work. The legislation gives Congress a biennium budget, specific deficit reduction targets, and a Fiscal Commission to provide longer term solutions to our debt crisis. I fully support Representatives Womack, Peters, Huizenga, and Case for their work and thank them for their courage to lead