Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced a bill on Monday that would block President Joe Biden from giving a State of the Union address if he doesn’t submit his budget and national security proposal on time.
Congressional Republicans are backing the Send Us Budget Materials & International Tactics In Time, or SUBMIT IT, Act, which would bar leadership from inviting the president to give the State of the Union address until Congress has received his budget and national security strategy.
“Well, actions speak louder than words, folks, and Biden’s budget is late once again,” Ernst said in a statement. “If the President is going to be allowed the opportunity to address Congress and the entire nation, he should actually have a plan in place.”
“At a time when Americans are facing skyrocketing inflation and the world is on fire, we deserve more than just empty rhetoric,” Ernst added. “After all, President Biden himself has said, ‘Don’t show me what you value, show me your budget.’ He can consider this a one-month warning. … The clock is ticking!”
The president is supposed to submit his budget and national security plans by the first Monday of February, as required by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 and the National Security Act of 1947. Biden did not submit these materials on time and still has not submitted them.
“President Biden’s budget was due on Feb. 5, yet Congress has seen nothing,” Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who sponsored the bill in the House, told Fox News.
“This is irresponsible,” Carter added. “Until Congress receives the president’s national security strategy and budget, he has no business delivering a State of the Union address.”
Biden is slated to give his third State of the Union address on March 7.
If passed, the SUBMIT IT Act would take effect in 2025. The proposed bill would require a Democratic-controlled Senate to pass it, as well as Biden to sign off on it, which is unlikely to happen.
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Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) called on the White House to cancel Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address on Monday, citing the migration crisis at the southern border instead of Biden’s tardy budget and national security proposal.
“We need to use every single point of leverage,” Perry said. “[The president] comes at the invitation of Congress, and Republicans are in control of the House. There’s no reason that we need to invite him to get more propaganda and actually blame the American people for the crisis he’s caused.”