Section 3 Flashcards
What are the three phases of the Federal budget process?
- Formulation of the President’s Budget.
- Congressional action on the budget.
- Budget execution.
By law, when must the President submit the President’s budget to Congress?
The president is to transmit the proposed budget to Congress not later than the first Monday in February of each year for the following fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1.
What are the two steps performed by Congress that provide the ability for a program to operate?
Authorization and appropriation.
What is authorization by Congress?
Congress establishes and sets the requirements for a program or activity.
What is a budget resolution?
A concurrent resolution on the budget, meaning that both the Senate and the House agree.
Who has the initial responsibility for tracking appropriations?
Treasury.
What allows agencies to begin spending?
Treasury warrant.
What are the components of the identification code for processing transactions?
- Agency code.
- Period of the appropriation.
- Account symbol.
What is an apportionment?
An apportionment distributes amounts available for obligation in an appropriation. It is a plan providing an agency with executive branch authority (OMB) to obligate and expend appropriations.
What are Category A apportionments?
Appropriations are apportioned by time period—usually by quarter.
What are Category B apportionments (or AB)?
These include program, activity, or project; Category AB by a combination of program, project, or activity and time.
What are Category C apportionments?
These include future years (only for multi-year/no-year accounts).
What is a Rescission?
Rescissions, which permanently cancel budget authority, take effect only if Congress passes a law approving them.
What is a Deferral?
Deferrals, which are temporary withholdings of budget authority, take effect immediately.
What are the three periods that make up the life cycle of an appropriation?
Current, expired and closed.
What is the minimum life cycle of an appropriation?
Six years.
What can occur during the current period of an appropriation?
During the current period, the total appropriation is available for the establishment of new obligations. Obligations can be liquidated.
What can occur during the expired period of an appropriation?
When the fiscal year ends for an annual or multi-year appropriation, the unobligated amount cannot be used to make new obligations. An agency has five years to make payments against amounts that have been obligated. Obligations can be liquidated.
What can occur during the closed period of an appropriation?
After five years, an agency can no longer make any payments against obligations or use the unobligated amounts. Any remaining obligated or unobligated balances shall be canceled. No further obligation or expenditure against the account is permitted.
Define receipts.
Receipts are collections that result from the government’s exercise of its sovereign power to tax, or otherwise compel payment.
Define offsetting collections and receipts.
Offsetting collections and receipts result from either of two kinds of transactions:
• Business-like or market-oriented activities with the public; or
• Intragovernmental transactions.