March 17, 2005—Rep. Franks applauded budget process reforms enacted as part of the budget resolution, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 218-214. Rep. Franks, who was the only Republican member of the Budget Committee to oppose the previous two budgets, voted in favor of this year’s resolution.

Rep. Franks was one of the “Gang of 25” members of the Republican Study Committee who won a hard fought battle to subject appropriations which exceed the budget resolution to a point of order and an up or down vote by the entire House. These members let House leadership know that their support could only be earned with genuine reform.

“This Congress has finally made some true progress towards reforming the budget process and getting a handle on out of control federal spending,” said Rep. Franks. “I have a high opinion of the leadership of this body. However, twenty-five of us raised our hands, indicating that we would withhold support from the budget resolution if they did not allow implementation of some meaningful process reforms. Thankfully, leadership recognized our convictions, saw the value in our plan and we were able to work together and pass some long overdue legislation."

The current budget process, which offers few parliamentary options to legislators who would like to control spending, has been in place for over 30 years. Reforming it has been a stated Republican goal for almost as long. Today’s budget victory led the Wall Street Journal to label those who advocated this reform the “Revolutionary 25.”

“I think its great that the resolution cuts the deficit in half in four years and restrains growth in entitlement spending without raising taxes,” said Rep. Franks. “Now that we have finally put some teeth in the enforcement process, the benefits to the taxpayer will be evident.”