Cameron Miranda
The annual federal budget is not established by a single piece of legislation. Instead, Congress makes spending and tax decisions through a variety of legislative actions. The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, giving it the authority to collect taxes and spend money. While federal taxing and spending require legislation, budget decisions are made year by year through the enactment of annual appropriations bills. Congress also considers legislation to enact changes to mandatory spending or revenue levels. The budget resolution can include temporary or permanent changes to the congressional budget process. In 1974, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, re-establishing some of its budgetary powers and curtailing the president's budget impoundment powers. When budget cuts are proposed, citizens may feel powerless, but they can influence decisions by working with charities and community groups, which are a trusted part of the local community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work with other organisations and representative bodies | Charities and community groups |
| Decide on an organisation or alliance to represent different voices | Existing or new |
| Agree on roles for individuals and organisations | |
| Set up a single point of contact | Website, name, logo |
| Engage a wide range of voices from the sector | Especially those representing minoritised communities |
| Emphasise the service's role in early help and prevention | Reducing pressure on other public services and costs |
| Push for the sector to have a role in deciding commissioning priorities | |
| Ensure the sector will be eligible to compete for new contracts or grants |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the federal budget process
The federal budget process in the United States is a complex and dynamic procedure that involves various stakeholders and legislative actions. While there is no single piece of legislation that establishes the annual federal budget, the process is guided by certain principles and steps. Firstly, the federal budget's fiscal year runs from October 1 of one calendar year to September 30 of the next. The budget planning process typically begins a year in advance, with federal agencies creating budget requests and submitting them to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The President plays a crucial role in initiating the budget process by submitting a detailed budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. This request outlines the President's spending priorities and recommendations. However, Congress holds the "power of the purse" according to the Constitution, which grants them the authority to make spending and tax decisions. Congress then works on creating funding bills, which involves setting spending levels and passing budget resolutions. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, comprised of members of Congress, are responsible for determining discretionary spending levels and creating appropriations bills.
These committees are further divided into smaller subcommittees, each focusing on specific areas of the federal government, such as military spending or energy and water. The subcommittees conduct hearings, gather information, and draft the initial appropriations bills. After the House and Senate pass their respective budget resolutions, a joint conference is held to reconcile the differences between the two versions, which can be a challenging process. The "reconciled" version is then voted on again and must pass in each chamber.
The budget resolution outlines spending limits for the main areas of federal discretionary spending and provides estimates for revenue from taxes and other sources. It is important to note that the budget resolution does not dictate funding for individual programs, as that is determined later in the process. The resolution can include temporary or permanent changes to the congressional budget process and may propose adjustments to mandatory spending or revenue levels.
Additionally, the budget ""reconciliation" process, outlined in the Congressional Budget Act, is an optional procedure to expedite the consideration of spending and tax legislation. While originally intended as a deficit-reduction tool, it has also been used to increase the deficit on certain occasions. Overall, the federal budget process involves a series of negotiations, compromises, and legislative actions to allocate resources and set spending priorities for the nation.
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Knowing who has the power of the purse
The "power of the purse" is a critical concept in the relationship between the United States Congress and the President. It refers to the ability of Congress to control government spending and taxation, which is enshrined in the Constitution. This power has been used to limit executive power and influence policy decisions, such as in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, which ended the Vietnam War by eliminating military funding.
The power of the purse can be used both positively and negatively. On the one hand, it can be used to incentivize certain actions or reward good performance, such as awarding extra funding to programs that meet specific benchmarks. On the other hand, it can be used to defund departments or programs, effectively eliminating them. This power is often held by forces within a government that have control over budgets and taxation but lack direct executive power.
In the United States, the power of the purse is held by Congress, which makes spending and tax decisions through various legislative actions. This power has been at the center of many recent controversies, including President Trump's border wall funding, his impeachment, and President Biden's student debt relief plan. Congress has also used this power to pass legislation that affects mandatory spending or revenue levels within the spending limits set by the budget resolution.
The House Budget Committee Democrats have introduced the Congressional Power of the Purse (CPP) Act to help Congress reclaim its constitutional spending authority and protect the separation of powers. This act aims to address concerns that Presidents and agencies have pushed the boundaries of laws designed to prevent executive overreach.
Additionally, the power of the purse can be observed in other contexts, such as in student governments at colleges and universities, where funding for student media outlets may be revoked if they publish content critical of the administration.
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How to influence council budget cuts
Budget cuts at the council level can have a significant impact on local communities, affecting local services, contracts, grants, and valued buildings and spaces. While councils work to protect their budgets, there may be instances where community members feel the need to influence council budget cuts to safeguard their interests. Here are some ways to do that:
Engage with the Council: Being proactive about communicating with the council is essential. Try to establish a clear and unified communication channel with the council, ensuring that local charities, groups, and diverse community voices are represented. Understand the council's position and financial challenges while also presenting your case and highlighting the community's needs.
Demonstrate the Value of Services: When advocating for specific services or programs, emphasize their value to the council. Show how these services align with the council's plans and contribute to early intervention and prevention. Highlight how they reduce pressure on other public services and, ultimately, costs. For instance, social care, support for low-income households, and homelessness prevention can alleviate demands on other council-run services.
Explore Community Ownership: In some cases, community ownership of assets may be a viable option to prevent their loss. If the council considers selling buildings or spaces, provide arguments for transferring these assets into community ownership. Highlight the risks of selling, such as assets ending up unused, undeveloped, or in the hands of individuals or organizations with no connection to the area.
Push for Sustainable Funding: Recognize that council tax-raising powers may not be sufficient to meet the financial demands, and advocate for sustainable and increased overall funding from the government. Emphasize the need for multi-year and timely finance settlements to address current and future service demands. Urge the government to take immediate steps to stabilize council finances and protect vital local services.
Participate in Campaigns: Join or initiate campaigns aimed at saving local services and raising awareness about the impact of budget cuts. For example, the "Save our Spaces" campaign highlighted the issue of valuable community spaces being sold off due to budget cuts. Such campaigns can garner public support and put pressure on decision-makers to reconsider their budget priorities.
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The role of Congress in budget cuts
The US Constitution grants Congress the "power of the purse," which means that it has the authority to tax and spend. This power is exercised through a variety of legislative actions, and there is no single piece of legislation that establishes the annual federal budget. Congress makes decisions about spending and taxation through a variety of legislative actions, and these practices have evolved over centuries.
Congress has the authority to make decisions about federal taxing and spending, and it does so by enacting legislation. Some tax and spending laws are permanent and remain in place until changed, while others are enacted on a temporary basis and require periodic renewal. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have jurisdiction over almost all revenue law. Each year, Congress must enact appropriations covering all discretionary programs and may also pass legislation affecting mandatory spending.
The budget resolution is a key part of the budget process in Congress. It provides guidance to other committees on spending and revenue levels and can include temporary or permanent changes to the congressional budget process. After adopting the budget resolution, Congress considers annual appropriations bills, which fund discretionary programs for the coming fiscal year. Congress may also propose changes to mandatory spending or revenue levels within the spending limits specified in the budget resolution.
Congressional committees play a significant role in the budget process. The House-passed budget resolution gives "reconciliation instructions" to various committees to develop policy changes that meet numerical targets for federal revenue and spending. For example, the Ways and Means Committee may be instructed to propose changes in tax law that lower revenue, while other committees may be instructed to propose changes in spending programs to reduce government spending.
Congress also receives projections and estimates of the budgetary effects of proposed changes in law from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). These projections provide information on federal revenue, spending, and deficits under current law and proposed changes in law. Congress can then use this information to make informed decisions about the budget and how to allocate resources.
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The impact of budget cuts on society
Budget cuts have a significant impact on society, affecting people from all walks of life. Here are some key ways in which budget cuts can influence society:
Education:
Budget cuts in the education sector can have far-reaching consequences for students, teachers, and the overall quality of education. Reduced funding often leads to lower student success and decreased teacher salaries. Schools may struggle to provide updated textbooks, educational technology, art supplies, extracurricular activities, and transportation. In some cases, budget constraints have even resulted in shorter school weeks to cut costs, as seen in Colorado where half of the school districts reduced their school week to four days.
Healthcare:
Cuts in healthcare funding can have dire consequences for individuals and families. People may lose their health coverage, making it difficult to access essential medical treatments and services. This can particularly affect those who rely on programs like Medicaid, leaving them vulnerable and unable to afford necessary healthcare.
Food Assistance:
Reduced funding for food assistance programs can lead to food insecurity for many families. Cuts in programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can result in families, especially those with lower incomes, struggling to put food on the table.
Poverty and Inequality:
Budget cuts often result in increased poverty and inequality. When funding is reduced for social safety net programs, such as food assistance and healthcare, it disproportionately affects those who are already vulnerable and struggling financially. This can lead to a wider wealth gap and further disadvantage marginalized communities.
Economic Impact:
Budget cuts can have a ripple effect on the economy. Reduced government spending may lead to job losses, affecting families' financial stability. Additionally, cuts in social programs can result in decreased consumer spending, as individuals have less disposable income. This, in turn, can impact businesses and slow down economic growth.
Well-being:
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Frequently asked questions
The federal budget is part of Congress's "job description," with the House of Representatives wielding "the power of the purse." To influence laws on budget cuts, you can:
- Contact your congressional representatives to voice your opinion on budget cuts.
- Support organizations like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Campaign Legal Center, which advocate for specific budgetary policies.
- Engage with community organizations and representative bodies to collectively influence council decisions on budget cuts.
- Stay informed about the budgetary process and participate in the democratic process by voting.
To influence budget cuts in your state or local community, consider the following steps:
- Collaborate with charities, community groups, and representative bodies to amplify diverse voices and influence council decisions.
- Advocate for the protection of community spaces and assets, such as buildings and parks, that may be impacted by budget cuts.
- Engage with local authorities and emphasize the value of services, highlighting their role in early intervention and cost reduction for other public services.
The House Republican budget has proposed massive cuts in health coverage, food assistance, and help with college fees to fund tax breaks for wealthy households and businesses. These cuts have the potential to increase costs, poverty, and hardship for individuals and families across the country.
The federal budget process involves Congress making spending and tax decisions through various legislative actions. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to lay and collect taxes and spend money through appropriations made by law. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee oversee revenue laws, while the Appropriations Committee handles funding for programs. The budget resolution may include temporary or permanent changes to the process, and Congress considers annual appropriations bills to fund discretionary programs.
Hidden provisions in budget bills, such as those identified by the Campaign Legal Center, can threaten the rule of law and democracy. For example, a provision in the House budget bill would restrict federal courts' authority to hold government officials in contempt for violating judicial orders, shielding the Trump administration from accountability. Another provision would impose a 10-year ban on enforcing state and local laws regulating artificial intelligence in elections, potentially enabling election manipulation.
