SUBMIT IT Act Send Us Budget Materials and International Tactics In Time Act
The passage of HB 7249 would directly amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, which currently does not stipulate that the President's State of the Union address must only occur after the budget and national security reports have been submitted. If enacted, this bill would hold the executive more accountable by requiring timely submission of these critical documents, allowing Congress to be better informed during discussions. This could lead to a more structured legislative calendar and promote greater transparency in the budgeting process.
House Bill 7249, titled the 'Send Us Budget Materials and International Tactics In Time Act' or 'SUBMIT IT Act', proposes a significant procedural change regarding the timing of the President's State of the Union address. The bill mandates that the President must submit the National Security Strategy and the annual budget request to Congress prior to delivering the State of the Union address. This shift aims to ensure that Congress has all necessary financial and security information before discussing the state of the nation, thereby enhancing legislative deliberation.
The introduction of HB 7249 may generate debate regarding the implications of enforcing such procedural requirements on the executive branch. Critics may argue that this imposes unnecessary constraints on presidential duties and disrupts the traditional flow of the legislative calendar. Historically, Presidents have delivered State of the Union addresses while their budget requests and national security strategies were still in development or unapproved, and some may view this requirement as an encroachment on presidential prerogative. Proponents of the bill, however, assert that it aligns with the need for a comprehensive understanding of national priorities during the high-profile State of the Union address.