What does Preamble of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to improve the budget process.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Budget Reform Act of 2025.

What does CBO SHOW YOUR WORK. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to make models and data publicly available. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office must publish fiscal models, policy models, and data preparation routines used for estimating legislation costs. The publication includes estimates, updates, and details of computations used to prepare estimates.

What does ZERO-BASED BUDGETING. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section mandates a shift to zero-based budgeting for federal departments and agencies. Initially, starting with the budget transmitted after enactment, the President must submit a budget detailing activities, legal basis, funding alternatives (with at least two below current levels), priorities, and cost efficiency measures for each activity. Certain Social Security programs (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid) are excluded from this requirement. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget will publish guidelines requiring a 'zero baseline' assumption for each department or agency. Effective January 1, 2027, the requirement transitions to a biennial budget cycle, requiring the President to submit budget information for each fiscal year of the next biennium. The biennial budget must include three alternative funding levels for each fiscal year, with at least two below the average funding level of the current biennium.

What does REVISION OF TIMETABLE. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section revises the timetable for the congressional budget process. The revised timetable outlines specific actions to be completed by certain dates in the first and second sessions of Congress. A special rule applies to the first session of Congress that begins in a year immediately following a leap year and during which a new President's term begins. The special rule supersedes the standard dates for the first session with alternative dates. Conforming amendments are made to section 202(e)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

What does AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to shift from an annual to a biennial budget process. The definition of 'biennium' is established as a two-year period beginning October 1 of an odd-numbered year. The concurrent resolution on the budget, previously an annual process, is now required biennially. Deadlines for various actions related to the budget resolution are adjusted to align with the biennial schedule, often occurring on or before specific dates in odd-numbered years. References to 'fiscal year' throughout section 301 of the Act are replaced with 'biennium'.

What does AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Title 31 of the United States Code to shift the budget submission cycle from annual to biennial. The President is now required to transmit the budget for a biennium, beginning October 1 of each odd-numbered year, to Congress. Various sections of Title 31, particularly section 1105, are amended to reflect this biennial budget cycle, impacting requirements for budget contents, estimated expenditures, and supplemental budget estimates. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 is also amended to align with the biennial budget cycle. The Joint Economic Committee is required to submit its report within one week of the President's budget submission for each odd-numbered year.

What does TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 105 of Title 1, United States Code, regarding the style and title of appropriations Acts. Appropriations Acts for the support of the Government must specify the object of the appropriations. These Acts must also indicate the fiscal years covered within the biennium. Regular appropriations Acts must be enacted for a biennium and specify the amount of appropriations for each fiscal year within that period. The term 'biennium' is defined using the meaning established in section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

What does MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. It establishes a point of order against considering legislation authorizing appropriations for less than two fiscal years, unless the program will be completed after appropriations are expended. In odd-numbered years, authorization or revenue bills are blocked until the biennial budget resolution, regular appropriations bills, and reconciliation bills are addressed. The Senate has exceptions to these rules for privileged measures, matters considered in Executive Session, and appropriations/reconciliation bills.

What does GOVERNMENT PLANS ON A BIENNIAL BASIS. of Budget Reform Act of 2025 do?

This section amends title 31, United States Code, section 9703, relating to managerial accountability, by changing references from 'annual' to 'biennial' and modifying specific section references. It amends title 39, United States Code, section 2803(a) to shift performance plans to a biennial basis. The amendments require performance plans to cover a 2-year period beginning with the first fiscal year of the next biennial budget cycle. The changes made by this section will take effect on March 1, 2026. Agencies are directed to take necessary actions to prepare and submit plans and reports in accordance with the amendments, effective upon enactment of the Act.

Back to bills

Budget Reform Act of 2025

Last updated: 6/17/2025 · Introduced: 6/17/2025

Author: Roger Marshall (R-KS)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill mandates a shift to zero-based budgeting for federal departments and agencies, requiring detailed budget justifications and alternative funding levels, excluding certain Social Security programs.
It transitions the federal budget process from an annual to a biennial cycle, requiring the President to submit budget information for a two-year period and adjusting congressional deadlines accordingly.
Appropriations Acts will now cover a two-year period (a biennium), specifying funding amounts for each fiscal year within that period.
Legislation authorizing appropriations for less than two fiscal years will generally be blocked, encouraging longer-term planning and program stability.
The bill restricts federal funds for official travel by political employees and the President during periods when the President's budget is not submitted to Congress on time.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4372(In Committee)Official page

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