They say the worst time to hit the gym is the first two weeks of January. The holiday season kicks off with Black Friday, named for when retailers shift into the black ink of profitability. Similarly, the fitness season runs from December 26 through mid-January, when gyms see a surge in memberships that boost their bottom line. About 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, with nearly half focusing on weight loss or fitness. Yet, most abandon their goals by mid-January, their good intentions fading as quickly as they appeared, leaving gyms empty.

In 1974, Congress made its own New Year’s resolution: achieve fiscal discipline through the Budget Control and Impoundment Act. Like eager gymgoers, they started strong, passing all 12 appropriation bills on time that first year. But, like those who ditch the gym, Congress repeated this success only three more times in the next 50 years — an 8% success rate, slightly better than the 6% of resolution-keepers who stick it out. For the past 27 years, Congress has failed to meet its budget deadlines, routinely relying on continuing resolutions to sidestep its own laws and keep the government running.

A Democratic Congress passed the 1974 Act to counter........

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