Sinoe County Senator Cllr. Augustine S. Chea has affirmed the House of Representatives’ constitutional authority as the first chamber to deliberate on the national budget, but clarified that the Senate is not barred from holding preliminary engagements while awaiting the official draft from the Lower House.
In a statement issued Thursday, Sen. Chea said the House is “correct that the Senate cannot undertake formal deliberations on the national budget until the House has completed its review and has passed the budget and transmitted the engrossed bill to the Senate.” He cited Article 34(d)(i) of the Constitution, which assigns the initial stage of the national budget process to the House of Representatives.
However, the Senator emphasized that the constitutional provision does not restrict the Upper House from conducting informal or preparatory activities.
“Nothing in the constitutional language prevents the Senate from conducting informal or preliminary engagements, including holding consultative or preliminary hearings with ministries, agencies, and commissions, to prepare for its eventual formal budget review,” Sen. Chea explained. “Such consultative or preliminary activities do not amount to formal legislative action. They may, in fact, support a more efficient and timely passage of the national budget given the limited timeframe.”
The Senator’s remarks come amid growing public interest in the pace of the 2025 national budget process, as both chambers face pressure to ensure timely approval to avoid delays in government operations.
