Congressional Budget Actions in 2005

Publication Date: May 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Banking and finance

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Abstract:

During the first session of the 109th Congress, the House and Senate will consider many different budgetary measures. Most of them will pertain to fiscal year (FY) 2006 and beyond, but some will make adjustments to the budget for FY2005. As the session progresses, this report will describe House and Senate actions on major budgetary legislation within the framework of the congressional budget process and other procedural requirements.

Congress typically begins its annual budget process once the President submits his budget for the upcoming fiscal year. On February 7, 2005, President Bush submitted his FY2006 budget to Congress.

The congressional budget process provides for an annual concurrent resolution on the budget to provide the framework for the consideration of budgetary legislation. The budget resolution sets forth aggregate spending and revenue levels, and spending levels by major functional area, for at least five fiscal years. Budget resolution policies are implemented through the enactment of reconciliation bills, revenue and debt-limit legislation, and appropriations and other spending measures. They are enforced by points of order that may be raised when legislation is pending on the House and Senate floor.

In preparation for action on the FY2006 budget resolution, on January 25, the Congressional Budget Office released its annual report on budget baseline projections, The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2006-2015.

The House considered its version of the FY2006 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 95) over the course of two days, March 16 and 17. After considering and rejecting four amendments, three of which were amendments in the nature of a substitute, the House agreed to H.Con.Res. 95 by a vote of 218-214 on March 17. The Senate considered its version (S.Con.Res. 18) over the course of four days, March 14-17. After considering several amendments, adopting most and rejecting others, the Senate agreed to S.Con.Res. 18, as amended, by a vote of 51-49 on March 17. The House and Senate, subsequently, agreed to the conference report to the FY2006 budget resolution (H.Rept. 109-62) by votes of 214-211 and 52-47, respectively, on April 28.

This report will be updated as actions occur during the session.