Imagining Effective Federal Budgeting: Congress Can Be Much Better

Congress is vested with all federal legislative powers. These include the powers to spend, tax, and borrow. 

Elevated inflation and interest rates, growing deficits and debt, slowing economic growth, and America’s polarized politics are symptoms of Congress’ need for institutional modernization. As we approach 250 years of American independence, let us recall that the legislature should be the center of most major decisions in our republic. 

With current ways of operating, however, Congress is held back from being a reliable partner to the other branches of government and to the states, and it is less able to check and balance them when needed. 

Connecting the dots for Congress to better serve Americans 

Congress has come a long way since America’s founding. Yet the established ways no longer foster an open legislative culture of near-equals where members strive to learn from each other and mutually accommodate diverse interests, talents, knowledge, and values.  

This series aims to illustrate how Congress can become the empowered, yet bounded, legislature that America needs. Fortunately, many members of Congress and external partners have developed components of better budgeting and other aspects of governance.  

This series focuses on better budgeting. The budget – all spending and revenue programs – is, or should be, the central hub for allocating resources. This robust, iterative tradeoff conversation informs the authorization process, which feeds back into budgeting. 

Each post will connect to a significant milestone in federal budgeting. Each will explore the upgrades that can substantially increase the value Congress can create for the people. Together, they will paint a picture of a bottom-up legislature that solves problems responsibly and makes congressional service more rewarding and exciting than it has been lately.  

Subject to revision, topics may include:  

1. Part 1: Starting on Time with the President’s Budget Request and CBO’s Baseline 
2. Part 2: All Committees Develop and Share their Visions 
3. Part 3: Building a Budget Resolution Blueprint for a Real Budget  
4. Part 4: Practical Budget Targets to Guide and Focus Policymakers 
5. Part 5: Empowering All Committees to Manage their Portfolios 
6. Part 6: Assembling a Comprehensive Congressional Budget 
7. Part 7: Managing a Complete Budget on the House Floor 
8. Part 8: Tools to Conclude the Annual Budget Cycle on Time 
9. Part 9: Designing Effective and Sustainable Enforcement Strategies 
10. Part 10: Overseeing the Faithful Execution of the Laws