Congressional Budget Process

Congressional Budget Process in the United States

The Congressional Budget Process in the Federal Budget Process

Congressional Budget Process in the congressional and executive budget processes (GAO source): Once the President submits his budget request, the congressional phase begins. Since the constitutional power of the purse is vested solely in Congress, the President’s budget request is just that—a request. Congress, of course, may choose to adopt, modify, or ignore the President’s budget proposals when adopting its budget resolution and when enacting appropriations and other laws. (See fig. 2 in app. II.)

The Congressional Budget Act establishes the following key steps in the congressional budget process.

Guide to U.S. Federal Congressional Budget Process

Congressional Budget Process
Budget Committees
Estimates Reports
Budget Resolution
Fiscal Legislation

Guide to Stages of the Federal Budgeting Process

Federal Budget Execution
Federal Budget Development
Executive Budget Formulation
Next Budget Request
Initial Budget Request Materials
OMB Passback Decisions
President Budget Request
Mid-Session Review Document
Congressional Budget Process
Budget Committees
Estimates Reports
Budget Resolution
Fiscal Legislation
Federal Budget Control
Impoundment