By Randall George | GNN Legislative Reporter |
The Liberian Senate has concurred with the House of Representatives in the passage of the Special Draft National Budget of 2021, but with some adjustments made.
The total adjusted revenue now stands at a little over Three Hundred and Forty-Seven Million United States Dollars for the fiscal period July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
The Senate Plenary decision was triggered by a report from the Joint Committee on Ways means, Finance and Budget as well as Public Account and Audit.
It can be recalled that the House of Representatives recently submitted a draft revenue adjusted envelop of Three hundred and Forty- Two Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand United States Dollars to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.
Moreover, following a budget hearing by the Joint Committee with Revenue and expenditure of Ministries and agencies, the Senate identified additional revenue to adjust the same.
To enhance revenue mobilization and to ensure efficiency in the services sector, the Liberian Senate dealt with several fiscal measures to include, the National Elections Commission, with the amount of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars, (500,000.00USD) Armed forces of Liberia Recruitment. One Hundred thousand United States dollars and Mental Health, Thirty Thousand United States Dollars, (930,000.00USD) amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Acting Press Director of the Liberian Senate, Alfred Johnson, has clarified that the Liberian Senate did not violate any of its Standing Rules nor any provision of the Liberian constitution to concur with the House of Representatives in the Passage of the budget as claimed by some individuals.
Mr. Johnson said the action by the Liberian Senate to concur with the House of Representatives is required for, under the law for any instrument that is forwarded to it by the House of Representatives especially the draft budget which by law should originate from the House of Representatives.
“We will not consider voting for a budget resolution until the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passes the House and is signed into law.”
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