Understanding the Federal
Budget Process
Online Advocacy Training
AALL Government Relations Office
February 11, 2015
The Federal Budget in 5 Easy Steps:
1
President
submits his
budget to
Congress.
2
House &
Senate pass
budget
resolutions.
3
4
5
House &
Senate write
appropriations
bills.
House &
Senate
vote,
reconcile
differences
in bills.
President
signs bill,
budget
becomes
law.
Step 1: The President’s Budget
• Proposed spending for federal programs for
next fiscal year
• October 1 to September 30
• Behind the scenes: OMB and federal
agencies coordinate budget requests
• Start early!
Step 2: Budget Resolutions
• House and Senate Budget Committees
create blueprint for budget decisions
• Sets total federal spending and revenue
levels; does not determine funding for
specific programs
• Sets total discretionary spending levels
for action by Appropriations Committees
Discretionary vs. Mandatory Spending
• Discretionary Spending
• Appropriated each year
• 1/3 of federal budget
• Mandatory Spending
• Automatic
• Bypasses appropriations process
• Included entitlement programs (Social Security,
Medicare)
• 2/3 of federal budget
Step 3: Appropriations
• Bills created by the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees under the
general direction of the budget resolution
• Appropriations Committees distribute their
total lump sum across all 12 subcommittees
• Divide lump 302(a) allocation into 302(b) suballocations
Appropriations Subcommittees
•
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies
•
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
•
•
Defense
Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
•
Financial Services and General Government Full Committee
•
•
Homeland Security
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
•
•
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Legislative Branch
•
•
•
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Appropriations
• Mark-ups and hearings
• Opportunities for influence
• AALL testimony and letters
• Petitions
• Action Alerts
• Full committee vote
Step 4: Voting and Conference
House first, then Senate
Amendments and floor debate
Conference committee
Final vote
Step 5: Bill to Law
With the President’s signature, the
budget becomes law.
What to Expect in FY 2016
• GPO
– Essentially a flat funding request
– Increase in funding for Revolving Fund to support
FDsys redevelopment
• LC
– Requesting a 6% increase
– Asking for new positions in the Law Library to support
K Class Conversion
What to Expect in FY 2016
• LSC
– Requesting a 32% increase over FY 2015, primarily
supporting grants
– Since FY 2010, LSC’s funding has decreased by nearly
11%
• IMLS
– Requesting a 4% increase
– Awaiting nomination of a new director
• NARA
– Requesting a 2% increase
– $5 million for the NHPRC
Exercise Your Influence
• Educating members of Congress
• Subcommittee targets
– Legislative Branch: GA-14, MN-4, CA-20, FL-23, WV-3, IA-3,
VA-2, NV-2; WV, HI, CT, IL, KS
– Financial Services: GA-2, PA-2, NY-15, IL-5, VA-2, NV-2, WA-3,
AR-3, KS-3, GA-14, FL-4; AR, DE, KS, OK, IL
– Labor, Health and Human Services: CT-3, CA-40, TN-3, PA-15,
AL-2, AR-3, ID-2, CA-13, MD-1, OK-4, VA-2, PA-2; MO, WA, KS,
AL, MS, TN, SC, IL, LA, WV, OK, RI, MD, NH, OR, WI, HI
– Commerce, Justice and Science: TX-7, FL-13, WV-3, WA-3, TX31, AL-4, WA-6, NY-15, CA-17, PA-2; AL, MD, TN, AK, ME, SC, IL,
AR, OK, WV, VT, CA, RI, NH, DE, WI, CT
Advocacy Opportunities
• AALL Lobby Day & Virtual Lobby Day
• Wednesday, March 18
• Visit, email, or call your members of Congress to
discuss FY16 budget priorities
• Registration information on www.aallnet.org/gro
• Join the Advocacy Team!
• http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AdvocacyTeam
Questions and Answers
• Emily Feltren, Director of Government
Relations: [email protected], 202-942-4233
• Elizabeth Holland, Public Policy Associate:
[email protected], 202-942-4237