Fees, fines let agencies avoid congressional budgeting process
In the wake of the report, the subcommittee on government operations held a hearing to discuss how Congress can regain control – and the power of the purse – over agencies. Among those testifying was Kevin Kosar, director of the Governance Project at the R Street Institute and co-director of a nonpartisan gathering of scholars and congressional staff that aims to “make Congress great again.”
At the hearing, Kosar said the power of the purse was a matter fundamental to the nature of a democratic republic.
“Congress is the first branch,” Kosar testified. “Thus, the constitution empowers Congress alone to impose taxes, collect duties and imposts and to impose fees, as well as to direct if and how these funds will be spent by the executive branch. Individuals and businesses may be compelled by government to pay only by consequence of a law.”
