Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act to the House of Representatives this week. Rep. Hern first introduced this legislation in the 116^th Congress. 

The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce a macroeconomic impact analysis, or dynamic score, on major legislation in Congress. Dynamic scoring gives a more accurate analysis of how legislation impacts the economy, in addition to the budget cost estimate that CBO produces. 

“Our Congress is weaker without dynamic scoring in place,” said Rep. Hern. “It used to be the standard, but was written out of the House rules when Speaker Pelosi took back the gavel in 2019. We need an earnest, dedicated effort to return to fiscally sound policymaking on Capitol Hill. Both parties have contributed to the problem, but it’s time to move beyond finger pointing and name calling and do something about it. The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act will give us the full picture of how pending legislation will impact the economy and our deficits, a helpful tool for legislators of all parties to better understand the bills we vote on in Congress.”

Support for the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act

Rep. Hern has five original co-sponsors: Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). He has also received support from key fiscal policy groups. 

"By requiring the Congressional Budget Office to reveal the true costs or gains of major legislation, Rep. Hern's legislation will provide a clear picture of the real economic impact of legislation that would affect all Americans. The act is a strong step on the path to fiscal sanity and fiscal certainty, and all Members of Congress should support this commonsense legislation." -Garrett Bess, Vice President of Heritage Action

“Representative Kevin Hern’s legislation is a much-needed step toward tax and spending reform at a time with record government spending, deficits, and debt and when lawmakers rarely consider the long-run fiscal consequences of their policy proposals. The most important aspect of The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act is that dynamic scoring will be incorporated into the legislative process, ensuring that members of Congress understand the full benefits of pro-growth fiscal policies. Research has shown that lower spending and lower taxation increases revenue for decades after policies become law.  Every member of Congress needs to understand, and acknowledge, that the federal debt is a drag on the economy and there is no more time to waste.   The Taxpayers Protection Alliance is proud to support this legislation which will put this compelling evidence at the front-and-center of debates on Capitol Hill.” – David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance

“Congressman Kevin Hern should be applauded for introducing the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act, a commonsense proposal that requires Congressional scorekeepers to utilize dynamic scoring when analyzing major legislation. This will ensure lawmakers have a more comprehensive understand of how proposed legislation impacts the economy, workers, and investment.” – Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform

"NTU has long advocated for requiring Congress to dynamically score legislation, and we applaud Representative Hern for again serving as a champion on this issue with his reintroduction of the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act. Taxpayers deserve a better and more full accounting of how proposed bills would impact not just the deficit but the broader U.S. economic picture, and the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act represents a major step forward for taxpayers and their advocates." - Andrew Lautz, Director of Federal Policy of the National Taxpayers Union

“Rep. Kevin Hern is doing a great service for taxpayers by introducing the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act (PGBA).  Requiring the Congressional Budget Office to produce a dynamic score of legislation will more accurately measure its impact on major economic indicators, including GDP, interest rates, investment, and jobs.  The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste urges all members of the House of Representatives to support this important bill.” – Thomas Schatz, President of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

“The American people and their representatives in Congress need to know what the real-world impact of legislation would be, especially when it would make major changes. The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act would correct known problems of traditional cost estimates. We thank Rep. Hern for proposing this smart solution.”-Brent Gardner, Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer

"The Pro-Growth Budgeting Act is a commonsense bill that would significantly increase fiscal transparency for Congress and the general public alike. It is critical that we have as accurate and thorough cost estimates for major pieces of legislation as possible, and the changes proposed by the legislation would make it easier to understand the implications of the bills Congress is voting on. Members from both parties and taxpayer and oversight watchdogs should all support this critical effort." -Jonathan Bydlak, Director of Governance Program, R Street Institute

Background Information

Macroeconomic impact analysis, known as dynamic scoring, measures how legislation can change the economy in terms of jobs, GDP, investment, labor supply, interest rates, and other major economic indicators. A requirement for macroeconomic impact analysis for all major bills will provide lawmakers with more context and data, beyond just the required cost to the U.S. government of bills considered by Congress. 

Under the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act, the macroeconomic analysis would be required for any legislation with an impact on revenue, spending, deficits, or debts that exceeds 0.25% of current projected U.S. GDP. 

The House Budget Committee Chairman and Ranking Member both may request a macroeconomic impact analysis, even if the legislation does not have an impact which exceeds 0.25% of GDP.

This requirement was previously included in the House rules, but was repealed at the start of the 116^thCongress. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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