How did the TCJA affect the federal budget outlook? Q.How did the TCJA affect the federal budget outlook? A.The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut taxes substantially from 2018 through 2025. The resulting deficits will add $1 to $2 trillion to the federal debt, according to official estimates. The debt increase will be larger if some of TCJA’s temporary tax cuts are extended. Read more about How did the TCJA affect the federal budget outlook?
How is a budget resolution enforced? Q.How is a budget resolution enforced? A.Spending and revenue targets set in the annual budget resolution are enforced by points of order, which any member of Congress may raise against legislation inconsistent with those targets. Read more about How is a budget resolution enforced?
How does the federal budget process work? Q.How does the budget process work? A.Ideally, following submission of the president’s budget proposal, Congress passes a concurrent budget resolution setting total spending, revenue, and deficit targets for at least the next five years, and then passes annual appropriation bills to fund discretionary programs and legislation to enact any changes to mandatory programs and taxes. The process has typically broken down at various points in recent years, however, with Congress failing to pass a concurrent resolution or not completing timely action on appropriations. Read more about How does the federal budget process work?
