Federal Budget Process – CRS Reports

The Budget Control Act of 2011, CRS Report R41965, August 19, 2011 (52-page PDF) Budget “Sequestration” and Selected Program Exemptions and Special Rules, CRS Report R42050, June 13, 2013 (35-page PDF) The Budget Control Act of 2011: Budgetary Effects of Proposals to Replace the FY2013 Sequester, CRS Report R42675, November 9, 2012 (15-page PDF) The … Read more

Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 P.O. Arnäs The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-508, title XIII, 104 Stat. 1388, 1388-573 (Nov. 5, 1990), was adopted to replace the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act of 1987, as a response to the budget crisis that persisted through … Read more

Discretionary / Discretionary Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Discretionary usually modifies “spending,” “appropriation,” or “amount.” Discretionary spending refers to outlays from budget authority that is provided in and controlled by annual appropriation acts. Discretionary appropriation refers to those budgetary resources that are provided in appropriation acts, other than those that fund mandatory programs. … Read more

Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Direct Spending / Mandatory Spending: Budget authority, and the resulting outlays, provided in laws other than appropriations acts. Spending controlled outside of annual appropriations acts, specifically including the Food Stamp (now SNAP) program; also referred to as mandatory spending. As defined by the Balanced Budget … Read more