Michelle D. Christensen
Analyst in Government Organization and Management
Clinton T. Brass
Specialist in Government Organization and Management
The executive budget process is a complex set of activities that includes (1) development of the President’s budget proposal, (2) submission and justification of the President’s budget proposal, and (3) execution of enacted appropriations and other budgetary legislation. While some of the activities must be completed by specific dates, many follow a more flexible schedule established by formal and informal rules and procedures. This report provides a brief overview of the phases the executive budget process.1 In addition, this report provides an illustrative example of the budget development timeline (see Table 1) and the executive budget process timetable that has generally been followed by Presidents in recent years (see Table 2).
The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 (P.L. 67-13; 42 Stat. 20) established the modern executive budget process. Now codified in Title 31 of the U.S. Code, the act requires the President to develop and submit a consolidated budget proposal to Congress prior to the start of each fiscal year.2 The President is also required to submit an update of the budget proposal to Congress in the middle of the legislative session. Section 221(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970,3 also codified in Title 31 of the U.S. Code, requires the President to submit a supplemental summary of the budget, commonly referred to as the mid-session review (or MSR), on or before July 15 each year. 4 In addition, the President may submit revisions to the budget submission at any time during the legislative session.
Date of Report: December 5, 2012
Number of Pages: 6
Order Number: RS20152
Price: $19.95
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