Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SCR41

Introduced

9/12/24

Refer

9/12/24

Caption

A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Impact

The resolution aims to lay the groundwork for budgetary discipline by stipulating limits on budget authority and outlays, reinforcing the need to adhere to fiscal targets established by previous budgetary acts. Additionally, the resolution includes provisions for reserve funds meant for efficiencies, consolidations, and savings that can help offset spending. One notable aspect is the provision that allows for adjustments to be made for legislation deemed to reduce appropriations, thereby enabling Congress to set budgetary allocations in a manner that could address fiscal challenges over the years ahead. This creates an incentive for lawmakers to consider cost-saving measures while planning future budgets.

Summary

SCR41 is a concurrent resolution that sets forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and outlines the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. This resolution encompasses new budget authorities and outlay projections across various government departments and programs. Specifically, it establishes a framework that reflects the government's fiscal priorities, which includes significant outlays geared towards administration of justice and various social programs, while also considering potential deficit reduction measures over the specified fiscal years.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SCR41 have highlighted contention regarding the adequacy of projected funding levels, especially in areas like social security and healthcare. Critics have raised concerns that the proposed budget authority may not sufficiently meet the growing needs of these critical sectors, particularly as demographic trends shift and federal obligations increase. Furthermore, the resolution includes points of order against potential bills that would exceed the established budgetary allocations, which some legislators argue could limit Congress's ability to respond flexibly to emerging governmental needs and financial realities. This dual focus on fiscal prudence and responsiveness remains a core area of debate.

Latest SCR41 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US HB6513

Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024 COCOA Act of 2024

US SB4373

REPUBLIC Act Reforming Emergency Powers to Uphold the Balances and Limitations Inherent in the Constitution Act

US SCR7

This concurrent resolution establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2025, sets forth budgetary levels for FY2026-FY2034, and provides reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases or decreases the deficit by specified amounts. The resolution recommends levels and amounts for FY2025-FY2034 forfederal revenues,new budget authority,budget outlays,deficits,public debt,debt held by the public, andthe major functional categories of spending.It also recommends levels and amounts for Social Security and Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses for the purpose of budget enforcement in the Senate.The resolution includes reconciliation instructions that direct several House and Senate committees to report legislation that will increase or decrease the deficit over FY2025-FY2034 by specified amounts. The committees must submit the legislation to the applicable congressional budget committee by March 7, 2025. (Under current law, reconciliation bills are considered by Congress using expedited legislative procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate.)In addition, the resolution establishes reserve funds that allow certain adjustments to committee allocations and other budgetary levels to accommodate (1) reconciliation legislation, and (2) legislation that would not increase the deficit over FY2025-FY2034. The resolution also exempts reconciliation legislation that complies with this resolution from various budget points of order.Finally, the resolution sets forth budget enforcement procedures that address issues such as adjustments to committee allocations and the budgetary treatment of the discretionary administrative expenses for the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. 