Sec. 2. Findings
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Congress finds the following: Federal deficits and debt are projected to keep growing at unsustainable rates. Congress does not consider a comprehensive budget with all spending and revenue at the level of spending accounts and revenue line items. The number of Federal spending accounts has grown from 1,734 in March 2009 to 1,970 in January 2025. The annual Congressional budget cycle separates appropriations legislation from the management of direct spending and revenue policies.
Annual appropriations advance each year, but they have declined from 50 percent of Federal spending in 1974 to 26 percent in 2025. The decline is expected to continue. Congress has not enacted all appropriations bills prior to the start of the fiscal year since 1996 for fiscal year 1997. Members have little opportunity to offer substantive amendments on budget and appropriations legislation during floor consideration. Programs outside of the annual appropriations bills account for almost all projected spending growth compared to the economy.
Most committees of Congress and the Members who serve on them have little direct involvement with shaping the fiscal priorities of the Federal Government on an ongoing basis. Authorizing committees haven’t enacted updated authorizations for $500,000,000,000 of appropriations for fiscal year 2025. Major trust funds face depletion within 10 years including the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund for highway and transit programs.
Direct spending and revenue policies lack a regular, comprehensive review around which Members of Congress can anticipate developing proposals and building coalitions. By contrast, the President’s budget proposal provides a comprehensive account of Federal spending and revenue along with the legislative proposals of the President. An incomplete and divided congressional budget process may weaken Congress’ ability to deliver good results for the American people in partnership with the president.
Many States complete their annual or biennial budget cycle with a single bill or just a few bills. A comprehensive budget with all Federal spending and revenue with contributions from many committees can— enable more effective budget management; involve more Members of Congress; help set priorities and control deficits and debt; improve program coordination; add value for the people of the United States; and make Congress a more effective legislative body.