United States House Committee on the Budget

Last updated

House Budget Committee
Standing committee
Active
Seal of the United States House of Representatives.svg
United States House of Representatives
118th Congress
House Budget Committee logo.jpg
History
Formed1974
Leadership
Chair Jodey Arrington (R)
Since January 3, 2023
Ranking member Brendan Boyle (D)
Since January 3, 2023
Structure
Seats37
Political partiesMajority (21)
  •   Republican (21)
Minority (16)
Jurisdiction
Senate counterpart Senate Budget Committee
Website
budget.house.gov

    The United States House Committee on the Budget, commonly known as the House Budget Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Its responsibilities include legislative oversight of the federal budget process, reviewing all bills and resolutions on the budget, and monitoring agencies and programs funded outside of the budgetary process. The committee briefly operated as a select committee in 1919 and 1921, during the 66th and 67th United States Congresses, before being made a standing committee in 1974. [1]

    Contents

    Role of the committee

    The primary responsibility of the Budget Committee is the drafting and preparation of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget, commonly referred to as the "budget resolution". This resolution sets the aggregate levels of revenue and spending that is expected to occur in a given fiscal year. A budget resolution by law must be enacted by Congress by April 15. This target date is rarely met, and in at least four years (FY1999, FY2003, FY2005, and FY2007) no budget resolution was ultimately adopted. This resolution also gives to each committee of the House an "allocation" of "new budget authority". This allocation is important in the consideration of legislation on the floor of the House. If a bill comes to the floor to be considered and it causes an increase in spending above this allocation, it is subject to a point of order (under 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act). This is true for discretionary spending (spending that is provided to the Federal Government each year) and mandatory spending (spending such as entitlements where a beneficiary class is defined and a benefit is provided). If an entitlement is expanded and it has not been budgeted for in the budget resolution, it is subject to a point of order on the floor and, if not waived, will prevent it from being called up for consideration (if a Member of Congress stands before the body and makes the point of order).

    In general, legislation is cleared of such problems prior to consideration through discussions between the House Parliamentarian, the House Leadership, and the House Budget Committee.

    The committee holds hearings on federal budget legislation and congressional resolutions related to the federal budget process. The committee holds hearings on the president's annual budget request to Congress and drafts the annual Congressional Budget Resolution, which sets overall spending guidelines for Congress as it develops the annual federal appropriations bills. The committee also reviews supplemental budget requests submitted by the president, which cover items which for one reason or another were not included in the original budget request, usually for emergency spending. Recently, emergency budget supplementals have been used to request funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as for disaster recovery after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The committee may amend, approve, or table budget-related bills. It also has the power to enforce established federal budget rules, hold budget-related investigations, and subpoena witnesses. Additionally, the committee has oversight of the Congressional Budget Office.

    Rules of the committee

    Paul Ryan (R) chairing a meeting of the Committee on the Budget House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan 2011.jpg
    Paul Ryan (R) chairing a meeting of the Committee on the Budget

    The committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month while the House is in session. Though this is required, it is almost always waived and the committee only meets when a subject of sufficient importance arises. This usually occurs during the early part of the calendar year when the president's budget is issued and important budgetary decisions must be made.

    It is not permitted to conduct business unless a quorum is present. For hearings, two members must be present for a hearing to begin. For a business meeting, such as a "mark-up" of a legislative document, a majority of its members must be present. If a bill is passed out of committee without the requisite quorum, it may be subject to a point of order on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

    The committee may only consider measures placed before it either by the chairman or by a majority vote of its members.

    Each member of the committee may question witnesses during hearings, in order of seniority when the hearing is called to order. Otherwise, members are recognized in order of their arrival after the gavel has brought the committee to order.

    Committee members

    The committee is chaired by Republican Jodey Arrington from Texas. The ranking member is Democrat Brendan Boyle from Pennsylvania.

    Also under House rules, unlike other committees of the House of Representatives, membership on the Budget Committee is term limited. Rank-and-file members must rotate off the committee after serving for three terms. Chairmen and ranking members may serve no more than four terms. (See Clause 5 of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives). [2] These limits are often waived, as they have been for Chairman John Kasich (R-OH), Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) and Chairman John Spratt (D-SC). Such a waiver requires a vote of the whole House, and is usually included in the opening day "Rules Package" that sets the rules for each successive Congress. Such a resolution is normally introduced as "House Resolution 5" or "House Resolution 6".

    Several high-profile budget committee members have gone on to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget: Leon Panetta (budget committee chairman 1989–1993), Rob Portman (budget committee vice chairman) and Jim Nussle (budget committee chairman 2001–2007). Additionally, John Kasich (chairman 1995–2001) went on to serve as Governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019, while Paul Ryan (chairman 2011–2015) was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2012 and the House speaker from 2015 to 2019.

    Members, 118th Congress

    Steve Womack, ranking member, and John Yarmuth, chair, during a meeting in March 2020 Steve Womack - March 2020.jpg
    Steve Womack, ranking member, and John Yarmuth, chair, during a meeting in March 2020
    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 14 (Chair), H.Res. 15 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 102 (D), H.Res. 103 (R), H.Res. 164 (D), H.Res. 205 (amending rank)

    Historical membership rosters

    117th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 9 (Chair), H.Res. 10 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 62 (D), H.Res. 63 (R), H.Res. 91 (removing Marjorie Taylor Greene), H.Res. 95 (R), H.Res. 122 (R), H.Res. 658 (R), H.Res. 826 (R), H.Res. 1197 (R), H.Res. 1340 (R)

    116th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources: H.Res. 7 (Chair), H.Res. 8 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 73 (D), H.Res. 74 (R), H.Res. 125 (D), H.Res. 481 (R), H.Res. 870 (D), H.Res. 1058 (R)

    115th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources: H.Res. 6 (Chair), H.Res. 7 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 36 (R), H.Res. 45, H.Res. 52, H.Res. 95 (D), H.Res. 131 (R)

    Major legislation reported out of the committee

    See also

    Related Research Articles

    The United States budget process is the framework used by Congress and the President of the United States to formulate and create the United States federal budget. The process was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, and additional budget legislation.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Honda</span> American politician

    Michael Makoto Honda is an American politician and former educator. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in Congress from 2001 to 2017.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Appropriations</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The United States House Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives that is responsible for passing appropriation bills along with its Senate counterpart. The bills passed by the Appropriations Committee regulate expenditures of money by the government of the United States. As such, it is one of the most powerful committees, and its members are seen as influential.

    Suspension of the rules in the United States Congress is the specific set of procedures within the United States Congress that allows for the general parliamentary procedure of how and when to suspend the rules.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Rules</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Rules, or more commonly, the Rules Committee, is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is responsible for the rules under which bills will be presented to the House of Representatives, unlike other committees, which often deal with a specific area of policy. The committee is often considered one of the most powerful committees as it influences the introduction and process of legislation through the House. Thus it has garnered the nickname the "traffic cop of Congress". A rule is a simple resolution of the House of Representatives, usually reported by the Committee on Rules, to permit the immediate consideration of a legislative measure, notwithstanding the usual order of business, and to prescribe conditions for its debate and amendment.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Ways and Means</span> Chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including Social Security, unemployment benefits, Medicare, the enforcement of child support laws, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, foster care, and adoption programs. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committee unless they are granted a waiver from their party's congressional leadership. It has long been regarded as the most prestigious committee of the House of Representatives.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on the Judiciary</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, federal administrative agencies, and federal law enforcement entities. The Judiciary Committee is often involved in the impeachment process against federal officials. Because of the legal nature of its oversight, committee members usually have a legal background, but this is not required.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Agriculture</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding appropriations for various governmental agencies, programs, and activities, as defined by House rules.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The standing Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the United States House of Representatives oversees agencies, reviews current legislation, and recommends new bills or amendments concerning U.S. military veterans. Jurisdiction includes retiring and disability pensions, life insurance, education, vocational training, medical care, and home loan guarantees. The committee oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans' hospitals, and veterans' cemeteries, except cemeteries under the Secretary of the Interior.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Homeland Security</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Its responsibilities include U.S. security legislation and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years. The two other House standing committees with such continuous operation are the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Rules Committee. The committee has served as the principal guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public's health and marketplace interests, with the relatively recent addition of energy considerations among them. Due to its broad jurisdiction, it is considered one of the most powerful committees in the House.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the main investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on House Administration</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The United States House Committee on House Administration deals with the general administration matters of the United States House of Representatives.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">112th United States Congress</span> 2011–2013 meeting of U.S. legislature

    The 112th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and ended on January 3, 2013, 17 days before the end of the presidential term to which Barack Obama was elected in 2008. Senators elected to regular terms in 2006 completed those terms in this Congress. This Congress included the last House of Representatives elected from congressional districts that were apportioned based on the 2000 census.

    PAYGO is the practice in the United States of financing expenditures with funds that are currently available rather than borrowed.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Small Business</span>

    The United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It was established in 1941 as the House Select Committee on Small Business.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House of Representatives</span> Lower house of the United States Congress

    The United States House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together, they comprise the national bicameral legislature of the United States.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Procedures of the United States Congress</span> Established ways of doing legislative business

    Procedures of the United States Congress are established ways of doing legislative business. Congress has two-year terms with one session each year. There are rules and procedures, often complex, which guide how it converts ideas for legislation into laws.

    The 2014 United States federal budget is the budget to fund government operations for the fiscal year (FY) 2014, which began on October 1, 2013 and ended on September 30, 2014.

    References

    1. Walter Stubbs (1985), Congressional Committees, 1789-1982: A Checklist, Greenwood Press, pp. 16–17
    2. Haas, Karen. "Rules of the House of Representatives One Hundred Fifteenth Congress" (PDF). Clerk of the House of Representatives.