Off-Budget Status of Federal Entities: Background and Current Proposals (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Oct. 5, 1999 |
| Report Number |
RS20350 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
William Heniff, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
During the 106th Congress, several proposals have been introduced to provide off-budget status
to
certain trust funds and other special funds, in which revenues are collected for specified purposes.
These proposals would prohibit the receipts and disbursements of the funds from being counted as
new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the President's budget,
the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Proponents argue that taking a fund off budget provides an assurance that the federal government
is fulfilling its contract with taxpayers by ensuring the collected receipts will be used for the
dedicated purpose rather than for general government activities. Opponents argue that removing a
fund from the unified budget would free its transactions from statutory and congressional budget
enforcement procedures, thereby weakening budget controls and limiting the ability of the President
and Congress to make trade-offs between all possible government priorities.
