Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7295
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Economics and Public Finance
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-11T21:28:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill, the Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026, aims to create a single, comprehensive annual budget process for Congress. It requires all federal spending and revenue to be considered together in one bill, involving more committees, to improve fiscal management, set priorities, and address growing deficits and debt.
Key Provisions Outlined
- New Definition and Structure: Introduces the term "annual budget Act" to mean a single law that itemizes all federal budget authority and revenue, combining input from the Appropriations Committees and other committees.
- Updated Timetable: Revises the congressional budget calendar, including:
- President submits budget by first Monday in February.
- Budget Committees receive views by mid-March.
- Concurrent resolution on the budget must pass by April 15.
- Committees submit line items by May 15.
- House Budget Committee reports the annual budget Act by June 10.
- House must complete action by June 30.
- Fiscal year begins October 1.
- Committee Roles: All relevant committees (except Appropriations) must submit spending/revenue line items and recommended changes for the annual budget Act. If they fail to submit, baseline levels are used.
- House Procedures: The House Budget Committee compiles and reports the full annual budget Act. The House cannot adjourn for more than three days in July until it approves the Act.
- Concurrent Resolution Rules: If no budget resolution passes by April 15, baseline levels apply automatically in each House.
- CBO Analysis: Requires the Congressional Budget Office to analyze committee submissions for direct spending and revenue changes.
- Other Adjustments: Updates points of order, removes certain off-budget exclusions, and makes conforming changes to related laws.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Replaces the current divided process (separate appropriations bills plus other spending/revenue handling) with a unified annual budget Act.
- Mandates broader committee involvement in submitting detailed line items, unlike the prior focus mainly on the Appropriations Committees.
- Adds new deadlines and enforcement mechanisms, such as automatic baseline application if the concurrent resolution is late.
- Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to shift language from "appropriation bills" to the new "annual budget Act" in multiple sections.
- Expands requirements for committees like Senate Finance and House Ways and Means to provide revenue statements and tax expenditure budgets.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies may face more coordinated oversight and potential changes to program funding through the single bill, possibly improving or complicating coordination across programs.
- Citizens: Intended to help control federal deficits and debt through better priority-setting, though outcomes depend on congressional action.
- International Relations: No direct provisions affect foreign policy or relations.
- Congress: Increases involvement of authorizing committees but may limit flexibility in timing and amendments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congressional committees, especially the House and Senate Budget Committees, Appropriations Committees, Finance Committee, and Ways and Means Committee.
- The President, due to the required budget submission and interaction with the new process.
- The Congressional Budget Office, which gains additional analysis duties.
- Federal programs and agencies funded through direct spending, appropriations, or revenue policies.
- Members of Congress, who gain more opportunities for input but face stricter procedural rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Strengthens Congress's Article I authority over the federal purse by centralizing budget decisions in one annual measure.
- Introduces new points of order and procedural barriers, potentially altering floor debate and amendment opportunities.
- Could affect separation of powers by requiring more comprehensive legislative action before certain adjournments or budget-related bills.
- Politically, it responds to long-standing issues like delayed appropriations and rising debt but may shift power dynamics among committees and between the House and Senate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (14 pages)