Budget Collapse Weakens Congress

The author argues the U.S. budget process is near breakdown: appropriations routinely miss deadlines, PAYGO/caps are brushed aside, and leadership folds secret deals into unread omnibus bills. On top of that, the executive is reviving de facto impoundment by freezing or cutting spending below legal appropriations. — If Congress can’t run a timely, accountable budget and the executive fills the vacuum, the constitutional 'power of the purse' erodes and democratic legitimacy suffers.