Explaining the Congressional Budget Resolution

This week, the House and Senate Budget Committees will draft their versions of the fiscal year 2010 congressional budget resolution. Both the full House and Senate could consider the measure as early as next week. Unfortunately, arcane procedures surrounding the budget resolution prevent the media and education advocates from discerning what effect it may have on federal education programs. This confusion is made worse by political rhetoric and partisan spin from both sides of the aisle.

In response, the New America Foundation’s Federal Education Budget Project has released an updated version of the issue brief “A Primer on the Budget Resolution’s Impact on Education Funding.” The primer is an insightful guide to the congressional budget process and how it affects education spending. It also includes a helpful explanation of the budget reconciliation process, which may be used this year. The issue brief also addresses other important budget questions such as:

• Can Congress set funding levels for individual programs in the budget resolution?
• How does the budget resolution influence the appropriations process?
• What is the difference between mandatory and discretionary spending in the context of the budget resolution?
• What special mechanisms exist for enforcing budget rules and funding levels in the budget resolution?

The Primer can be downloaded here on the Federal Education Budget Project website www.EdBudgetProject.org.