Budgetary Decisionmaking in Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 5, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF11032 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Megan S. Lynch |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The Constitution grants Congress enormous power and
freedom to engage in what is now referred to as budgeting.
First, the Constitution grants Congress the power of the
purse, but does not prescribe or require specific budgetary
legislation or budgetary outcomes. Further, the Constitution
allows the House and Senate to determine the rules of their
internal proceedings, but does not prescribe or establish
budgetary rules or restrictions. Congress has therefore
developed certain types of budgetary legislation as well as
rules and practices that govern the content and
consideration of that budgetary legislation. This collection
of budgetary legislation, rules, and practices is often
referred to as the congressional budget and appropriations
process.
Types of budgetary legislation vary greatly. For example,
some types of legislation may design a new program, while
other legislation provides the program’s funding. Further,
some legislation does not spend or collect money at all, but
instead reflects a budgetary plan to be implemented through
subsequent legislation.
When Congress uses such legislative opportunities, varying
requirements and restrictions may shape their actions.
These requirements and restrictions are derived from a
continually growing patchwork of rules, laws, constitutional
requirements, and customs that have developed over the
past two centuries. Adding complexity to the process is the
fact that different requirements and restrictions apply to
different types of budgetary legislation.
Such variation—both in the type of budgetary measure and
the particular rules and requirements specific to them—can
sometimes cause confusion. Adding to this confusion is the
fact that Congress seldom considers budgetary measures
each year in a predictable pattern. Such dissimilarity can be
the result of countless factors, such as political dynamics,
competing budgetary priorities, the economy, natural
disasters, and military engagements. These factors not only
shape congressional priorities, but can also create
complications, obstacles, and interruptions within the
policymaking process.
