LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE ON BUDGET CONTROL,

Hon. CARL ALBERT,

Washington, D.C., February 7, 1973.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Hon. JAMES O. EASTLAND,

President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER AND MR. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: By direction of the Joint Study Committee on Budget Control, we submit herewith the committee's first report pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 92-599, approved October 27, 1972.

In making this interim report, the committee is in a position, because of the limited time that has been available, to make at this time only very preliminary and general recommendations as to possible courses of action to improve budgetary control procedures.

The committee is making every effort to expedite its work and finalize its recommendations. The committee has heard expert testimony from Mr. Charles Schultze, senior fellow at Brookings Institution and former Director of the Bureau of the Budget, and Mr. Samuel M. Cohn, Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The committee has also had compiled extensive background data required to pursue a detailed analysis of the complex budgetary control problem. It is planned to receive additional expert testimony and to conduct public hearings in order that the committee may have the benefit of suggestions and proposals from the Members of Congress and the public.

As outlined in detail in the body of the report, there are many problems involved in the budgetary process that must be carefully considered if a sound, workable budgetary control system is to be developed. Because these problems are difficult they will require further in-depth study and review before a detailed plan of action can be recommended to the Congress. Implementing legislation would then have to be formulated and approved by the Congress before any permanent organization, procedures, and staffing that may be required could be established and the plans become operative.