|
Each year Congress passes budget and appropriations legislation covering federal spending for the coming fiscal year, which starts on October 1. The process begins when the President submits a proposed budget to Congress on the first Monday in February. By April 15, Congress adopts a budget resolution that establishes an overall outline for spending and revenues in the coming year. Although the budget resolution does not become law, Congress is informally bound by its framework. The budget resolution contains two types of spending - discretionary (annually appropriated) and mandatory (not subject to annual appropriations). If the budget resolution assumes increased revenue (taxes) or reduced mandatory funding, Congress must pass legislation to stay in line with the budget resolution. The process is completed later in the year, with the enactment of separate appropriations bills that fund the discretionary portion of the budget.
In recent years, some members of Congress and the President have pushed to change the way Congress approves the federal budget. While some proposed changes would be constructive, other proposals would tilt the budget against spending for services for low-income families.
The Coalition on Human Needs launched the Opportunity for All Campaign to help advocates fight for a federal budget that expands opportunity for success for low-income people.
CHN: Opportunity for All Campaign
CHN: BUDGET BASICS 101 - Threats to Human Needs in the FY 2006 Budget (1/11/05)
CHN: Glossary of Federal Budget Terms
CBPP: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process
Americans for a Fair Estate Tax
BushBudget.com
Center for Community Change
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Citizens for Tax Justice
Economic Policy Institute
Fair Taxes for All Coalition
National Priorities Project
OMB Watch
Save Our Services Campaign
=> Back to Budget and Appropriations Main Page
|
