Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Summary
S. Con. Res. 22 sets forth the congressional budget for the US government for fiscal year 2026 and establishes budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035. It outlines recommended levels for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, and public debt. The resolution also specifies budgetary levels for major functional categories, including National Defense, International Affairs, and Health.
Expected Effects
This concurrent resolution will guide congressional appropriations and spending decisions for the next decade. It will impact the allocation of resources across various sectors, influencing economic policy and social programs. The resolution also establishes reserve funds and sets forth budget process rules, including voting thresholds and emergency legislation procedures.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a framework for fiscal planning and resource allocation for the federal government.
- Aims to reduce the deficit in the later years of the budget window (2030-2035).
- Sets specific budgetary levels for critical sectors like National Defense, Health, and Veterans Benefits.
- Includes reserve funds for deficit reduction and health savings accounts, potentially promoting fiscal responsibility.
- Establishes budget process rules to enhance transparency and accountability.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Relies on projected savings from efficiencies and consolidations, which may not materialize.
- Increases in public debt in the earlier years (2026-2029) before deficit reduction takes effect.
- Potential for disagreements between the House and Senate on budget priorities.
- The budget resolution is non-binding, and actual spending may deviate from the proposed levels.
- Emergency legislation provisions could be used to circumvent budgetary constraints.
Constitutional Alignment
The document aligns with Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. It also relates to Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, which requires a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).