The Evolution of the Federal Budget Process
explanatory Essay
997 words
Federal spending is necessary for the economy and is essential to the accomplishment of national goals and advancement. This is why a budget is needed, however, there is no actual process mentioned in the Constitution that explains how Congress should do this. The Constitution states: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time. (U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 9). This statement only says that the power has been designated to Congress. It does not stipulate how to use this power nor does it give instructions for the budgeting process. Even as the role of government continued to expand, there was still no procedure for drafting and implementing a budget. It became clear that this lack of protocol hindered Congress’s ability to govern the budget. As a result, Congress forged its own budget process. Congress has passed many acts and amendments, but to no avail because the process still lacks a stable and lasting way of budgeting. Government budgeting has changed, in that, there is a formal process in place now, but it is no more effective than when there was none because the changes made by law were aimed more at gaining and/or reclaiming power and not real budgeting. (Body) At the beginning of the 20th century, government budgeting was a decentralized process more conducive to the small government ideals at that time. The executive branch was less involved in the process and less influential in terms of funding decisions. There were no definitive procedures and no real central authority. The submission process was informal and chaotic. Each agency subm... ... middle of paper ... ...nd executive branches have yet to realize that neither reshuffling power nor changing rules is the answer. It is pointless to take a process that needs to be restructured and add new layers to it. Despite the many changes, its use as a political tool has remained. It is an instrument of control and subject to the politics of the President and Congress. For government budgeting to be effective, the process that guides it must be an evolving one. As the government gets bigger, it will most likely destabilize the existing method. Therefore, it must change to keep pace with the demands and growth of the country. The process must be capable of handling the complexity of our nation and its multifaceted needs so it will always need revisions and restructuring to face these new challenges. Its ultimate goal must be to reinforce the government and strengthen the country.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that government budgeting was a decentralized process conducive to small government ideals at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Explains that the congressional budget and impoundment control act of 1974 was an attempt to bring order to congress's budget activities.
- Explains that the constitution doesn't specify how congress should use this power or budgeting process. congress has passed many acts and amendments, but the process is no more effective than when there was none.
- Opines that the separation of power doctrine and checks and balances system have created a culture of restraint between the legislative and executive branches.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- opinion
- The Federal Budgetanalytical essayThe Federal Budget The federal budget is known as the infamous monetary tank from which money is distributed to various programs. Why does the federal budget plan cause such uproar of approval or disapproval when it is proposed by the President every February? The money utilized every fiscal year, which runs from October 1st of each year until the end of September of the following year, belongs to the people. The money is raised through income taxes, excise taxes (taxes on goods) and social insurance payroll taxes.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the federal budget is the infamous monetary tank from which money is distributed to various programs.
- Explains that there are different schools of thought on budget deficits. some believe that the deficit is not as harmful as believed.
- Explains crapo's "federal budget" at crapo.senate.gov.
- Explains that the current federal budget is characterized by deficit spending, which has been a way of life for the federal government since world war ii.
- Explains that president bush's tax cuts, which are intended to stimulate the economy, are stirring a furious debate. the administration faces difficult decisions as the fiscal year begins.
- Analyzes how political perspectives align to reflect how the federal budget should be maintained and used.
2617 wordsRead More - Congressional and Presidential Budgeting Processexplanatory essayThroughout history there has been much concern over issues regarding the national debt and government spending. The United States has had its ups and downs with the national debt and the balancing of the budget. As a multitude of changes have been made to improve the budget system many believe that too much control over the budget is vested with the president and the executive branch. While the Congressional Budget and Reform Act of 1974 awarded Congress added power and influence in response to this concern over the budget process, the president still has an advantage in the budgetary process.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the president in the past had the ability to impound (withhold) funds to congress.
- Cites the library of congress's presidential signing statements, retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/law/help/statements.php.
- Opines that while the congressional budget and reform act of 1974 awarded congress additional power and influence in response to this concern, the president still has an advantage in the budgetary system.
- Explains that all agencies are required to submit their budget requests to the president. the office of management and budget is the largest office within the executive office.
- Explains that the president sends the budget to congress, which communicates his discretions and priorities on matters of overall size, possible effects on the economy, and allocation of funds among major agencies and programs.
- Explains that the president can veto a bill if it is not in his best interests. the president has the ability to sign legislation.
- Explains that the united states house and senate committees on the budget are responsible for drafting the budget resolutions.
- Explains that congress holds a prevalent position in this portion of the budgetary process as the resolution does not require presidential approval as it binds congress and is not law.
- Explains that by combining unfavorable bills with favorable bills, the president will likely approve it as he does not have ity to item-veto or disapprove a single item.
- Explains that congress and the president both contend to sway the budget in their best interests as it has a significant effect on policy and priorities.
- Opines that the president should continue to have leverage in the budget process as this will assure fairness and pleasing of the masses.
- Explains how each process allows the president and congress to retain both advantages and hindrances as checks and balances prevent the abuse of power.
- Opines that the president should continue to enjoy leverage in the budget process as he must ensure the movement and progression of the country’s goals and priorities.
1356 wordsRead More - Budget & Economy in the United Statesexplanatory essayFrom the penny to the 100 dollar bill, every cent of money counts in our government. Keeping track of it and knowing how much we are spending compared to how much we are making is on of the harder tasks to handle for our three branches of government. Currently, the economic situation is less than ideal. No matter what side of the political spectrum one falls, it’s evident that there are issues with economy. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches all play an important part in the budget and economic system.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that every cent of money counts in our government. keeping track of it and knowing how much we are spending is one of the harder tasks to handle for our three branches.
- Explains that president obama's view on the economy is a share the wealth kind of ideal. he sought to bring economic hope to lower and middle class citizens that wanted more economic equality.
- Explains that the us and russia are slowly pulling themselves out of their economic issues, while the rest of the world continues to dig itself in to a global economic slowdown.
- Opines that obama's plans for economic success have proved to be a failure because of the split government.
- Explains how house concurrent resolution 281 established the congressional budget for the 2011 fiscal year, revised the previous year’s budget, and set forth another budget levels for 2012 through 2020.
- Explains that the judicial branch has a crucial role in the government. kelo vs. city of new london was one of the notable cases dealing with economy. mcculloch versus maryland in 1819.
- Explains that the issue of the economy has become an issue in the united states. both the democratic and the republican candidates have different economic stances.
- Explains that louie gohmert, a republican, is heavily influenced by the state he represents, while patty murray, the democratic senator from washington, seems to take all issues and look at them from both points of view.
- Opines that clarence thomas on foreign policy can be found at ontheissues.org - candidates on the issues.
- Narrates the washington post's "bullard, levitt, altman’s own words on us economy."
- Describes gpo's hr 281.pdf, which is available at www.gpo.gov.
- Opines that "gloomy britons blame labour poll." latest us and world news, sport and comment from the guardian.
- Explains ctj - citizens for tax justice's "index of /about."
- Cites mitchell, josh, "weak manufacturing in euro zone, china darkens global outlook - wsj.com." business news & financial news.
- Explains mcculloch v. maryland | the oyez project at iit chicago-kent college of law | a multimedia archive of the supreme court.
- Explains mcculloch v. maryland | the oyez project at iit chicago-kent college of law | a multimedia archive of the supreme court.
- Explains that 6 central banks act to buy time in europe.
- Explains stocks slip ahead of jobs report. the new york times - breaking news, world news & multimedia.
- Describes louie gohmert's work on the issues.
- Opines that patty murry is of "on the issues."
- Explains that ontheissues.org - supreme court justices on the issues.
- States sixel, l.m., and houston chronicle. houston's economy keeping a steady pace.
- Describes the commerce department's secretary john byrson.
- Analyzes how wells fargo says california's economy is "in flux" next year.
- Opines that kelo v. city of new london | the oyez project at iit chicago-kent college of law | a multimedia archive of the supreme court.
2104 wordsRead More - Federal Budget Analysisopinion essayThe country needs to start monitoring how the government is spending the federal budget and they need to start splitting it fairly to benefit our country. 83% of the federal budget is spent on the Big Five which are the main expenses in the budget. We have to stop spending it all on the Big Five. Our government should really pay attention to what we need most of in this country and focus on the needs. The government needs to take away 20% of the Big Five and split it to categories that need it.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the country needs to start monitoring how the government is spending the federal budget and start splitting it fairly to benefit our country.
- Opines that if the government changes the way they spend the budget, then they can change how our government is run.
- Opines that they have to take away 10% of the budget, which comes from the medicare/medicaid category, and add 90,000,000 to another important category that needs the money.
- Explains that the middle five is the second biggest category in the budget. homeland security is a big part of protecting our country.
- Explains that the government isn't splitting the budget fairly. the smallest category is the national park service.
- Explains that the federal budget is a safety net for many people in the united states.
551 wordsRead More - Our founders’ vision of democracy was designed to reflect the value of the majority of the people. The president is supposed to draft a balanced budget annually by September 30th, and present the budget to Congress (Segal, 2010). Funding, according to Segal (2010), is appropriated to mandatory portions of the budget such as, Social Security, Medicare, and interest on the national debt (Segal, 2010). The next step is for Congress to vote on funding for discretionary programs (Segal, 2010).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that individuals and businesses fund the federal government through personal income and payroll taxes. the us has a strong value system and raises the debt ceiling in times of bad economic conditions.
- Describes how the state of the budget might impact the problem that your bill is addressing, and the likelihood of passage.
- Opines that keeping latino/hispanic children out of the foster care system and with their families is good for society and the us tax payer.
- Explains that the president drafts a balanced budget annually by september 30th, and presents it to congress. then congress votes on funding for discretionary programs.
- Opines that the us would gain an additional 10.8 million permanent residents by immigration reform.
- Explains that h.r. 2604 opposes our supreme court and other legal entities in regards to undocumented immigrants.
- Proposes reducing the benefit paid for retired military and qualifying dependents health care, increasing their out-of-pocket expenses, and relegate benefits for the wealthiest 25% of seniors earning over $4,517 monthly.
- Opines that any reform to increase government's revenue will bring out opposition. h.r. 2604 supports extended family reunification, temporarily.
- Argues that segal fails to see that social workers use both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for measuring outcome.
- Explains that discretionary spending makes up roughly one-third of the federal budget.
2087 wordsRead More - Implied Powers of Congressanalytical essayThere are several powers expressly given to Congress in Article 1 of the constitution. These expressed powers are basically a laundry list of Congressional duties. These include, but are not limited to, the power to lay and collect taxes, the power to borrow money on behalf of the United States credit, the power to coin money and regulate it's value, the power to declare war, the power to raise and support armies, the power to establish post offices and postal roads and the power to regulate commerce between the states, as well as with the Indian tribes and with foreign nations. These powers were given at this level of government by our forefather because they are important items that must be regulated at the national level. Imagine the chaos that would ensue if each state was able to coin it's own money and set the value themselves. While Congress may be responsible for things of great importance to our security and national economy “no one of the powers transferred to the federal government is unnecessary or improper”(Federalist No.45) and“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.” (Federalist No.45). This helps to ensure that Congress' power is k...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states congress is the legislative branch of our government made up of the senate and the house of representatives.
- Explains that congress has a laundry list of congressional duties, including the power to lay and collect taxes, borrow money, declare war, raise and support armies, establish post offices, and regulate commerce.
- Explains that the necessary and proper clause was put in to give congress the flexibility it needed to carry out its more defined obligations, since the framers could not foresee difficulties that might prevent them from fulfilling their duties.
- Analyzes how the commerce clause has allowed the national government great liberties in enforcing a number of regulations in the name of preserving their power over interstate commerce.
- Explains that the us constitution assigns powers to the different branches of government, but that constitution was written by the citizens they were meant to govern.
- Analyzes madison's alleged danger from the powers of the union to the state governments considered.
938 wordsRead More - Federal Budgetanalytical essayThe federal budget is known as the notorious economic tank from which money is distributed to various programs. The money used every fiscal year, which begins October 1st and ends September 30th the next year, belongs to the people. The government raises this money through taxes and they spend it on national defense, Medicare, and social security. The federal budget is an exercise in making choices, and those options will certainly affect individuals living in the U.S. These choices cause debt to pile up on the government, who is struggling to make it disappear. The deficit and debt of a government gauges how well it is being run and how well it has been run in the past. According to The Economist the national debt is the total outstanding borrowing of a country’s government; it is an accumulation of deficits that has yet to be paid off (Economist, A-Z). The current U.S. federal deficit, as of the 2013 fiscal year, is a monumental $680 billion dollars, adding to an even higher debt. Any attempt to diminish this debt has the consumer footing the bill, but there has to be a different way. There have been requests to increase taxes, to raise revenues for transportation infrastructure, to restrategize the military force or to make defense more affordable (“15 Ways to Rethink the Federal Budget”, Brookings).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the federal budget is an exercise in making choices that affect individuals living in the u.s.
- Explains that the united states spends more on its military than the next 13 nations combined, which helps it maintain its position as the world’s dominant military power.
- Explains that the wars in iraq and afghanistan are winding down and that will help lower the defense spending by almost $1 trillion over the next decade.
- Argues that medicare is a huge entitlement program, and its reorganization must be accepted wisely. adding economic competence into the program and controlling the economic incentives of those who want medical goods and services must contain medicare costs.
- Explains that social security contributes to the budget deficit by providing money to people who are unable to work because they are old, disabled, or unemployed.
- Opines that the failure of politicians in washington to be honest about medicare and social security is putting the health and retirement security of all americans at risk.
- Explains the us senate budget committee's recent us federal deficit numbers. christopher chantrill, n.d.
1134 wordsRead More - The United States Governmentexplanatory essayThe power to appropriate funds is crucial to the U.S. government because it enables the flow of funding for the government to function. Congress’ ability to fund government functions provides for everything from entitlements such as: Social Security, Medicaid, to running the nation’s national parks, the postal services, and the work of all federal agencies and the military. Without the legislative branches’ ability to raise revenues and appropriate funds, nothing would function. The Constitutional authority for Congress to fund government also gives Congress a weapon that the Executive and Judicial branches both lack. For example, the President may wish to regulate a certain area such as offshore oil drilling. After the B.P. disaster in the Gulf, the President could have established very onerous regulations o...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the constitution delegates the power of war to congress, which makes the legislative branch powerful. however, in recent administrations, the executive branch has over-reaching into congress' authority.
- Explains congress' power over the other two branches stems from the constitutional grant of power to congress to make laws over many enumerated and implied powers.
- Explains that the framers of the constitution wanted the legislative branch to have the most power of all three branches.
- Explains that the three branches of government were created to be coequal with overlapping powers that kept each other in check. the framers of the constitution wanted the legislative branch to have more power.
958 wordsRead More - The Unorthodox Lawmaking of the 2011 Federal Budgetanalytical essayPrior to 1970 the process of how bills became laws in the United States Congress almost always followed one specific textbook path. This path was set up by the Constitution of the United States and the United States Congress continuously followed this process set by our founding fathers from the founding of the United States in 1776 until the start of 1970’s. In the 1970’s due to several different factors Congress began to stray from this textbook processes of creating laws and members of congress began to use several different techniques to block bills they saw as undesirable and to also push bills through that they supported. We can see several of these different relatively new congressional legislative techniques when analyzing the process of Bill S.365: Budget Control Act of 2011 and the the Health Care and Education Reconciliation of 2010.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the process of how bills became laws in the united states congress almost always followed one specific textbook path set up by the constitution of the us.
- Analyzes how the extremeness of the tea party movement coupled with the republicans great success in the 2010 congress elections was a result of american citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with democratic party.
- Explains how congress develops tax and spending legislation based on the congressional budget act of 1974. the president submits a detailed proposition to congress on what he believes should be the federal budget for the next year.
- Explains that the 2011 federal budget was not passed until april, only hours before a complete government shutdown would have taken place. obama submitted the specific legislation that included cuts in entitlement to congress very late and the republicans refused to accept compromise.
- Analyzes how the democratic party used unorthodox lawmaking to pass the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010 and the loss of democratic control of the house.
- Analyzes how the democratic party used unusual techniques to pass the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010.
- Analyzes how the s.365: budget control act of 2011 caused a political party to use an unorthodox legislative method in order to achieve political goals.
- Explains that policy basics: introduction to the federal budget process is available from center on budget and policy priorities.
- Explains that party divisions of the house of representatives (1789 to present) are available at art & history.
1414 wordsRead More - The Roles of the National Budgetexplanatory essayThe national budget is the main instrument through which governments collect resources from the economy, in a sufficient and appropriate manner; and allocate and use those resources responsively, efficiently and effectively (Todorovic & Djordjevic, 2009). The work of public budget has increased extremely more complicated, abstruse and worrying (Hou, 2006, p.730).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the national budget is the main instrument through which governments collect resources from the economy, in a sufficient and appropriate manner; and allocate and use those resources responsively, efficiently and effectively.
- Explains that the fiscal affairs department of imf in 2009 declared that a statement of the main central government tax expenditures should be required in the budget or related fiscal documentation.
- Explains that tax expenditures are commonly known as tax loopholes or tax breaks. they are designed to favour a particular industry, activity, or class of persons.
- Explains that the economic and political crisis of 1997/1998 triggered transformative changes to budgeting in indonesia.
- Explains that tax expenditures in indonesia have been included in revised budget since 2003 that categorizing as tax subsidy. subsidies and transfers should not be enacted as taxes
- Explains that failure to explore hidden tax expenditures gives chance to reform tax reporting management in indonesia through the benchmark or normative tax system.
624 wordsRead More