Original
Navigating the Power of the Purse—Fiscal Irresponsibility, Process Failures, and the New Constitutional Stress Test
Abstract
ABSTRACT The federal government, and its budget process, are facing unprecedented challenges. The federal debt is at historic levels, the process is in disarray, and the constitutional balance of powers is being challenged as never before. The debt, driven by growth in entitlement spending, stands at $38 trillion and is projected to continue to grow if no changes are made. The appropriation process has completely broken down. Thirty years have passed since all appropriations bills were signed into law prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, and the government has just endured the longest government shutdown in history. At the same time, the Trump administration has challenged both the laws and norms that have governed relationships between the executive and legislative branches. While many of the problems facing the process are political, there are procedural changes that would assist in achieving a return to both fiscal and constitutional equilibrium.
中文
驾驭钱袋权——财政不负责任、程序失灵与新的宪法压力测试
摘要
联邦政府及其预算过程正面临前所未有的挑战。联邦债务处于历史高位，预算过程陷入混乱，宪法权力平衡正受到前所未有的挑战。由福利支出增长所驱动的债务高达38万亿美元，并且如果没有任何改变，预计还将继续增长。拨款程序已完全崩溃。自所有拨款法案在财政年度开始前签署成为法律以来，已经过去了三十年，而政府刚刚经历了历史上最长的政府停摆。与此同时，特朗普政府挑战了规范行政与立法部门关系的法律和规范。尽管预算过程面临的许多问题属于政治问题，但一些程序性变革将有助于实现财政与宪法平衡的恢复。
关键词
联邦预算、财政不负责任、拨款程序、政府停摆、宪法权力平衡、特朗普政府、程序改革