𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 Creates New 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 to Improve Budget Process

Africa-Press – Liberia.
The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to finally create two subcommittees to enhance budget transparency in light of recent controversies surrounding the 2024 fiscal budget.

These are the first two subcommittees of the House of Representatives since its establishment in the mid-19th century.

Members of the House of Representatives unanimously amended Rule 57.4 of the House’s Rules & Procedures, to allow the establishment (creation) and the appointment by the Speaker of the Revenue and Appropriations Subcommittees under the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning.

The lawmakers referenced Rule 63 of the House’s Standing Rules and Procedures.

“These Rules shall not be altered unless the members of the House have received a twenty-four (24) hour notice of the proposed change. The twenty-four-hour period shall commence with the placement of a printed copy of the proposed amendment upon the desk of each member. Changes in these rules shall be taken as a special order,” Rule 63 says.

The creation of the Subcommittee on Revenue and the Subcommittee on Appropriations under the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning aimed to streamline the budget process and improve governance within the House of Representatives.

The proposal was written by Rep. Jerry K. Yogboh, Sr., of Montserrado County District #12, who craved the indulgence of the Plenary to amend Rule 63 of the House’s Rules & Procedures, to create and allow the appointment by the Speaker of the Revenue and Appropriations Subcommittees under the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance.

The 1986 Liberian Constitution provides that each “House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings”, therefore the House of Representatives and the Senate approve their own governing rules of procedure. The courts have interpreted this clause to mean that a new Legislature can adopt the previous Legislature’s rules and procedures and can also amend or repeal rules of proceedings of the previous Legislature.

“I have the profound honor to present my compliments, and herewith I write to inform this august body that, in keeping with Rule 63 of the House’s Rules & Procedures, I wish to announce that within 24 hours, I will put a motion on the floor to amend the House’s Rules to allow the appointment by the Speaker of a Revenues and Appropriations subcommittee under the Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance,” Rep. Yogboh stated.

Rep. Yogboh said this rule change is consistent with Article 38 of the constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which states: “Each House shall adopt its own rules of procedure, enforce order, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of the entire membership, may expel a member for cause. Each House shall establish its own committees and subcommittees, provided, however, that the committees on revenues and appropriations shall consist of requirements of due process of law laid down in this with one member from each county.”

The Montserrado County District # 12 Representative is of the view that the creation of subcommittees on Revenues and Appropriations will create effectiveness and efficiency in the exercise of the House’s oversight responsibilities, especially in tracking the performance of revenue envelopes and appropriations made during the passage of the national budget.

The Subcommittee on Revenue is chaired by Representative P. Mike Jurry, while the Committee on Appropriation (Budget) is chaired by Representative Dorwon Twain Gleekia.

Meanwhile, a Budget Advisory Committee has been appointed, comprising Representative Samuel Kogar as Chair, Representative Jeremiah Sokan as co-chair, and Representatives Frank Saah Foko, Atty. Michael Thomas and Ernest Manseah as members.

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