Murray, Ryan team up on new budget legislation

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) have teamed up again, this time on legislation seeking to give Congress a better understanding of federal tax and budget policy. 

{mosads}The bill, from the heads of both the House and Senate Budget committees, would set up a 15-person commission to look into how the effectiveness of federal programs and tax breaks. 

That commission would give both private and government researchers more access to program data, thus giving the agencies a greater understanding of how well those programs are working. If three-quarters of the panel agrees on recommendations, the commission would also give Congress and the White House a report and ideas for legislation.

“The families and communities we represent deserve a government that works for them and delivers results,” Murray said in a statement. “I’m proud to have partnered with Chairman Ryan on this legislation, which would take an important step towards strengthening our understanding of how government investments, from programs to spending in our tax code, can better serve all Americans.”

“We want to change the focus in Washington,” Ryan added. “Instead of putting the focus on effort, we want to put the focus on results. This commission will help us learn how to use data to make better policy, and I want to thank Chairman Murray for her hard work on this issue. 

Murray and Ryan also teamed up for budget legislation last year.