Week 8: The Budget And Appropriations Process

Question 1

First Monday in February

Answer 1

President submits budget

Question 2

February 15

Answer 2

CBO submits budget outlook

Question 3

Mid-March

Answer 3

Committees submit views and estimates

Question 4

April 1 budget committee reports budget resolution

Answer 4

April 15 congress completes budget resolution

Question 5

May 15 house may consider appropriations bills

Answer 5

June 10 house appropriations reports last bill

Question 6

June 30 house completes action on appropriations

Answer 6

Fiscal year begins October 1

Question 7

Office of management and budget assists the president in

Answer 7

1. Budget development and execution
2. Management of agency performance, human capital, IT
3. Coordinates regulatory policy
4. Coordinate legislative action
5. Deals with executive orders

Question 8

Budget Actors

Answer 8

President 
Congress:
• budget committees 
• appropriations committees 
• authorizing committees 
• tax committees 
• scorekeepers - Congressional Budget Office/Joint Tax Committee

Question 9

Budget Committees

Answer 9

House and senate budget committees

Question 10

Senate budget committee

Answer 10

1. Mills over any bill that concerns the federal budget
2. Must approve any budgetary resolutions that determines how much the federal government will spend in any given fiscal year. In that capacity, the committee has jurisdiction over the Congressional Budget Office
3. Created in 1975 and was chaired by former democratic presidential hopeful Edmund Muskie (D - ME)

Question 11

Senate Appropriations committees

Answer 11

Largest of all senate committees. Responsible for all revenue bills that come out of the House.

It is also tasked with developing supplemental spending bills to address issues arising in the middle of a fiscal year

Question 12

House appropriations committee

Answer 12

Because the house is the birthplace of all appropriations bills

This committee was created to be responsible for all revenue legislation, including the source of the federal government budget.

They also wade through the various earmarks attached to each bill.

Question 13

Earmarks

Answer 13

“Hidden” congressional provision that directs federal government to fund specific projects or exempts specific people or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees

Question 14

Presidents Budget

Answer 14

• submitted annually by first Monday in February
• contains presidents discretionary and mandatory spending priorities, tax policies, and debt
• 10 year budget projections
• can be starting point for budgets discussions with congress

Presidents signature required on legislation

Question 15

Concurrent Budget Resolution

Answer 15

• sets congressional budget priorities / rules
• cannot be filibustered. Can pass Senate with 51 votes. But 50 hours of debate and virtually unlimited amendments
• requires agreement between house and senate to enforce

DOES NOT REQUIRE PRESIDENTS SIGNATURE

Question 16

Appropriations committees

Answer 16

Allocate discretionary funding among 12 subcommittees

Question 17

Appropriations bills can be passed individually, as one big bill containing all 12 bills (omnibus)

Answer 17

Or in a package containing several bills (minibus)

Question 18

Appropriations committee writes

Answer 18

12 bills that spell our annual discretionary funding for agencies and programs as well as policy guidance (legislative riders)

Also originate emergency supplemental spending bills