The Congressional Budget Process -- An Explanation

Table of Contents

Forward

I. Introduction

The Constitution's Statement on the Budget

Purposes of the Budget Process

Basic Budgetary Concepts

II. History of Budget Law

Congressional Budgeting prior to 1974

The Congressional Budget Act: Need for the law in the 1970's

Changes to the Budget Act since 1974

Gramm-Rudman-Hollings 1985 and 1987

The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990

III. Development: Creating a Budget

Executive Actions

Congressional Action: Preparation of a Concurrent Resolution

IV. Enforcement:

Budget Act Points of Order in the Senate

Discretionary Spending Caps

Mandatory Spending

Reconciliation in the Senate

V. Other Aspects of the Budget Process

Title X Impoundment Control and the Line Item Veto

Rescissions and Deferrals

The Line Item Veto Act: a New Tool to Control Spending

The Unfunded Mandates Control Act

Credit Reform

VI. Appendices

A. Budget Functions

B. Statement of Congressional Budget Office Policy

C. Sources of Jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on the Budget

D. Membership of the Senate Committee on the Budget

E. Budget Timetable

F. Completion Dates of Budget Resolutions

G. Budget Act Points of Order in the Senate

H. Completion Dates of Reconciliation Legislation

I. Glossary of Budget Terms

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