Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SCR7

Caption

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. 

Impact

The implications of SCR7 are extensive, particularly in its approach to fiscal management. By detailing new budget authority and required outlays, the bill seeks to streamline government expenditure and ensure that appropriations align with projected income. The proposed budget changes indicate a shift toward prioritizing critical sectors that directly affect the citizenry, such as Medicare and education. However, the bill also highlights the necessity of stabilizing the state's financial health by regulating how much can be allocated to various programs, which may impact service delivery and funding availability for local programs.

Summary

SCR7, also known as the Federal Budget Reconciliation Act, outlines a detailed fiscal strategy for the upcoming fiscal years focusing on budget authority and outlays. The bill proposes substantial changes to government funding allocations, targeting various sectors while aiming for overarching fiscal responsibility by addressing the federal deficit through strategic budget proposals. Key allocations include significant funding for health, education, and transportation, with a strong emphasis placed on balancing the budget while facilitating economic growth through essential services.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding SCR7 appears to be a mixture of support and concern. Advocates argue that the measures within the bill are crucial for long-term fiscal sustainability and economic stability. They emphasize the necessity of prudent budget management and the importance of investing in areas that yield public benefits. Conversely, critics express apprehension regarding potential cuts to critical services and question whether the proposed measures may limit the government's financial flexibility in case of unforeseen economic challenges. This contrast indicates a polarized viewpoint on the adequacy and foresight of the proposed fiscal strategies.

Contention

Notable points of contention within the discussions around SCR7 include debates over the sufficiency of budget allocations to critical sectors and the potential downstream effects of cuts or expenditure caps on local communities. Stakeholders are particularly concerned about how the proposed fiscal strategies might hinder local authority and service provisions, especially in times of economic downturn. The bill's provisions may prompt negotiation over specific funding lines and the prioritization of certain initiatives at the cost of others, stirring robust debate among lawmakers and constituents alike.

Congress_id

119-SCONRES-7

Policy_area

Economics and Public Finance

Introduced_date

2025-02-13

Companion Bills

US HCR14

Related bill Establishing 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.

Previously Filed As

US SCR41

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.

US HCR117

Establishing 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.

US HB260

Nickel Plan Act This bill modifies the federal budget process to establish and enforce new spending caps. The bill establishes an outlay cap (less net interest payments) for FY2024 of $5.953 trillion, less 5%. For each year from FY2025-FY2027, the outlay cap is 5% less than the previous year's outlay cap. For FY2028 and subsequent years, total outlays (including net interest payments) may not exceed 17.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for that year as estimated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Beginning in FY2029, total projected outlays for any year may not be less than the total projected outlays for the preceding year. The OMB must enforce the spending caps using a sequester to eliminate any excess spending through automatic cuts. The bill eliminates the existing exemptions from sequestration. If the OMB projects a sequester, the congressional budget committees may report a resolution directing congressional committees to change existing law to achieve the spending reductions necessary to meet the outlay limits. The bill also establishes procedures for Congress to enforce the outlay caps established by this bill.

US SB6

Balanced Budget Accountability Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), upon adoption by a chamber of Congress of a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year, to certify to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President pro tempore of the Senate whether that chamber has adopted a balanced budget. Balanced budget means a concurrent budget resolution providing that for FY2033 and each succeeding fiscal year to which the resolution applies total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the projected domestic product for such fiscal year. The bill requires the salary of Members of Congress to be held in escrow if OMB determines a chamber has not adopted a balanced budget for FY2024 before April 16, 2023, and for FY2025 before April 16, 2024. The bill also provides for the release of these funds to the Members. Beginning in FY2026, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget before April 16 of the prior fiscal year, each Member of that chamber shall be paid at the rate of $1 annually for pay periods after that date in the same calendar year. The bill also requires that legislation in either chamber to increase revenue be agreed upon by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of that chamber.

US HB225

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2024 by April 15, 2023, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2023, until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution, or (2) the last day of the 118th Congress.

US HB362

Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2023 or the BASIC Act This bill requires cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the costs of servicing the public debt.

US HB361

Stop Inflationary Spending Act This bill requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide inflation projections for bills that Congress considers using the budget reconciliation process. Specifically, the CBO must estimate the impact on inflation that will occur from implementing each reconciliation bill, including the impact on inflation that will occur during each of the first five years after the enactment of the bill.

US HB135

No Pay Raise for Congress Act This bill cancels the automatic adjustment to the pay of Members of Congress that is based on the employment cost index if the Congressional Budget Office determines that there was a federal budget deficit in the last fiscal year.

US HB252

Inflation Prevention Act of 2023 This bill establishes a point of order that, when the annualized rate of inflation exceeds 4.5%, prohibits the House and Senate from considering legislation that provides new budget authority and is estimated to increase the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The prohibition may be waived in the Senate by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senate.

US HB9777

To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require any cost estimate for a bill or joint resolution prepared by the Congressional Budget Office to include the cost to each United States citizen for carrying out such measure, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

US HCR14

Establishing 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.

US SCR41

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.

US HB766

Preventive Health Savings Act

US HB1979

Legislative Line Item Veto Act of 2025

US HB4464

Preventive Health Savings Act

US HR5

Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, and for other purposes.

US HB5833

Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2023

US HB3746

Administrative Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2023