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Order Code RS20152
Updated July 28, 2003
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
The Executive Budget Process Timetable
Bill Heniff Jr.
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
The executive budget process is a complex set of activities that includes formulation
of the President's budget, interaction with Congress, and execution of the budget. While
some of the activities are required by specific dates, many follow a more flexible schedule
established by formal and informal rules and procedures. Table 1 provides a timetable
of the major steps in the executive budget process. For more information on budget
process, see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].
The developmental phase of the executive budget process largely is coordinated
through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which assists the President in the
preparation of the budget and its execution. OMB budget guidelines are communicated
formally to federal agencies through circulars, bulletins, and other publications.
The initial development of the President's budget begins in the individual federal
agencies approximately 10 months before the President submits it to Congress (about 18
months before the start of the fiscal year). At any given time, agencies conceivably could
be working on the budgets for three fiscal years simultaneously. For example, in May
2003, agencies were implementing the FY2003 budget, seeking funds for the FY2004
budget, and beginning to develop the FY2005 budget.
Federal agencies submit initial budget requests to OMB for review in the early fall,
often in September. During this review phase, OMB staff clarify policy and technical
questions with the agencies in order to make recommendations to the OMB director. The
budgetary decisions of the OMB director are passed back to the agencies, in what is
known as an OMB passback. Federal agencies may appeal these decisions, but usually
only have a limited time to do so. The appeals are made to the OMB director, and in
some cases, to the President directly. Once final decisions are made, federal agencies
revise their budget requests accordingly to be included in the President's comprehensive
budget submission to Congress, which is required to be submitted by the first Monday in
February for the fiscal year beginning October 1 (31 U.S.C. 1105(a)).
During the congressional phase of the federal budget process, executive branch
activities concerning the budget year largely are driven by the congressional budget
process. These activities typically involve negotiations with Congress about budgetary
legislation. For more on the congressional budget process timetable, see CRS Report 98-
472, The Congressional Budget Process Timetable.
Congressional Research Service **** The Library of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsuntaaawf0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)