The Markup | Week of September 21, 2026

House Committee on the Budget: America’s Fiscal Future

Topic: Examining the Need for a Fiscal Commission
Date & Time: Monday, September 21, 2026 | 2:00 PM CT
Key Witnesses:
1. The Hon. Leon Panetta — Chairman, The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
2. The Hon. Rob Portman — Founder, The Portman Center for Policy Solutions
3. The Hon. Joe Manchin — Former U.S. Senator and Governor of West Virginia

Establish a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission: Strong advocacy for a commission modeled after successful historical frameworks like the Greenspan Commission and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.
Target Deficit Reduction: Establish a clear bipartisan goal to reduce national deficits to under 3% of GDP within a decade (gradually reducing from the current ~6%).
Enact "Super PAYGO": Require every dollar of new spending or tax cuts to be offset by at least two dollars in spending reductions or revenue increases.
Social Security & Entitlement Reform: Focus on bipartisan structural fixes to protect trust fund solvency while rejecting scare tactics.
Economic Preparedness: Develop a pre-planned "Break Glass" strategy to handle sudden economic shocks while maintaining long-term deficit reduction trajectories.
Legislative Precedents Cited: Fiscal Commission Act, Sustainable Budget Act, Budgeting for a Better America Act, and the Fiscal Stability Act.

Subject: Nomination of Maria Lopez (FL) to be Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA).
Key Issues Raised:
- Guardianship Oversight: Scrutiny regarding VA oversight of vulnerable veterans under guardianship, citing specific cases of exploitation and emphasizing that guardianship should be a last resort.
- Budget & Workload Discrepancies: Committee members questioned proposed budget cuts ($12 million reduction and 10.5% decrease in staffing) despite an anticipated 21% increase in BVA workload.
- Claims Processing: Debates on the efficiency and fairness of newly introduced VA benefits claims handling procedures.

Subject: Restoring America’s Edge in Generic Drug Manufacturing.
Key Witnesses: Industry representatives Mr. Toastcar, Ms. Bader, and Ms. Kim.
Main Takeaways:
- Domestic Incentives: Discussion on FDA-proposed incentives to reshore production of Essential Medicines and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
- Regulatory Oversight: Proposals for unannounced inspections of foreign manufacturing facilities to level the playing field.
- Supply Chain Realities: Emphasized the challenges of operating under tight margins in a globalized supply chain and called for clear policy communication.

Subject: Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act Reauthorization & Puyallup Tribe Testimony.
Main Takeaways:
- Community Needs: Focused on expanding housing options and improving healthcare access for elderly tribal members (specifically targeting diabetes, heart disease, and dementia).
- Carcieri Decision Fix: Called for a comprehensive universal fix to the Carcieri ruling regarding land-into-trust authority for all affected tribes.
- Cultural Protections: Highlighted the need for expanded language around Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP) to prevent the desecration of sacred sites.

Subject: Modernizing U.S. Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage and Disposal.
Key Panelists: Senator Chris Coons, Dr. Huff, and industry experts.
Main Takeaways:
- On-Site Coastal Storage: Addressed safety and environmental concerns surrounding interim storage in coastal states like Delaware.
- Transportation Infrastructure: Stressed the immediate need for robust federal funding and institutional frameworks for moving spent fuel to consolidated facilities.
- Recycling Potential: Explored the regulatory pathways required to enable nuclear fuel recycling as a low-carbon energy solution.

Subject: Nomination of Dr. Janet Woodcock for Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
Interrogator: Senator Bernie Sanders.
Main Takeaways:
- Regulatory Independence: Discussion centered on ensuring the FDA remains independent of executive influence and strictly adheres to statutory safety and efficacy standards.
- Prescription Drug Costs: Heavy focus on lower drug pricing and expanding universal healthcare access.

Subject: Nomination of William Grayson (CA).
Main Takeaways:
- Defense Partnerships: Plans to elevate operational coordination, joint training, and capacity-building between the U.S. and Indonesian militaries.
- Critical Minerals Strategy: Discussion on counteracting foreign dominance (particularly China) in critical mineral supply chains, focusing on nickel, copper, and cobalt reserves in Indonesia.

Discussion on tax interpretation allegations regarding nominee Gerard Klomp. Committee leadership emphasized holding tax officials to strict compliance standards before recessing for floor votes.

Senate committee discussions surrounding the alleged destruction of federal records and procedural debates regarding proxy voting, DOJ referrals, and congressional grant of immunity.