Budget Process News

Tues, July 28, 2026:

• 2001: A budget odyssey - The Hill

  • The Hill recently published an op-ed comparing the congressional budget process to the killer shark in the movie “Jaws.” Although the analogy is entertaining, a better pick would have been “2001: A Space Odyssey” — not because of its prophetic warnings about artificial intelligence, but because of the iconic year, 2001. That is the year when the White House and Congress entered into an unholy alliance to abandon fiscal responsibility.

Wed, July 22, 2026:

• Why the Budget Process Is Broken. Congress wrote the rules to restrain itself. Then it broke every one. - The Dispatch

  • Trillions Comment: A worthwhile read, but not entirely correct. The 1974 Budget Act was not enacted to achieve deficit reduction; it was enacted to give Congress the tools to implement a fiscal policy of its choosing. The subsequent enactment of sequestration, spending caps and PAYGO were, however, aimed at deficit reduction. Unfortunately, in recent years, Congress has abandoned budget resolutions and annual fiscal policymaking because neither political party has made fiscal restraint a priority. It is true that Congress has routinely broken the PAYGO law since 2010—a stark contrast from the “pay-as-you-go” culture that prevailed in the 1990s.

Wed, Feb 25, 2026:

• The Long-Term Budget Outlook Data: 2026 to 2056 - released by CBO

Fri, Feb 20, 2026:

• Court ruling puts federal revenue forecast on shaky ground. Billions in expected tariff revenues affected by Supreme Court decision. - Roll Call

Wed, Feb 11, 2026:

• The Economic Outlook for 2026 to 2036 in 17 Slides - CBO

• Director’s Statement on the Budget and Economic Outlook for 2026 to 2036 - CBO

• The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2026 to 2036 - CBO

Fri, Feb 6, 2026:

• Divided Idaho House calls for constitutional convention. Critics warn of risk to U.S. Constitution. Resolution, which calls for a federal balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, now heads to the Idaho Senate. - Idaho Capital Sun

Thurs, Nov 6, 2025:

• Congressional Budget Office believed to be hacked by foreign actor. The office makes economic projections for lawmakers and scores legislation. – WP

Wed, Jun 18, 2025:

• Why reconciliation is a ‘privilege’ for lawmakers, not a right. A look at the nuances of reconciliation’s ‘Byrd rule’ compared with a ‘privilege scrub’ – Roll Call

• It Is Time To Repeal Congress’s Budget Rules And Start Over – TPC

Fri, March 7, 2025:

• Legislation enacted in the second session of the 118th Congress that affects mandatory spending or revenues – CBO