GAO-05-734SP A Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process

A basic reference document for persons interested in the federal budget-making process. Emphasizes budget terms in addition to relevant economic and accounting terms to help the user appreciate the dynamics of the budget process. Also distinguishes between any differences in budgetary and non-budgetary meanings of terms. Over 300 terms defined. Index. Appendices: overview of the federal budget process, budget functional classification, and more.

The federal budget process is the primary means by which the President and Congress select among competing demands for federal funds. The President's budget is the Administration's proposed plan for managing funds, setting levels of spending, and financing the spending of the federal government. It is not only the President's principal policy statement but is also the starting point for congressional budgetary actions. The budget's importance makes it essential that it be comprehensive and clear. This glossary provides standard terms, definitions, and classifications for the government's fiscal, budget, and program information. It serves as a basic reference document for the Congress, federal agencies, and others interested in the federal budget-making process. Budget terms are the primary focus, but relevant economic and accounting terms are also defined to help the user appreciate the dynamics of the budget process and its relationship to other key activities (eg: financial reporting). It also distinguishes between any differences in budgetary and non-budgetary meanings of terms.

A basic reference document for persons interested in the federal budget-making process. Emphasizes budget terms in addition to relevant economic & accounting terms to help the user appreciate the dynamics of the budget process. Also distinguishes between any differences in budgetary & non-budgetary meanings of terms. Over 300 terms defined. Appendices: overview of the federal budget process, budget functional classification, program & financing schedule, major laws cited, & more.

This section discusses basic appropriations law terms that appear throughout this publication. Some of our discussion draws upon statutory definitions that apply in various budgetary contexts. We draw other definitions from administrative and judicial decisions, as well as from custom and usage in the budget and appropriations process.The Comptroller General, in cooperation with the Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, and Congressional Budget Office, must maintain and publish standard terms and classifications for "fiscal, budget, and program information," giving particular consideration to the needs of the congressional budget, appropriations, and revenue committees. 31 U.S.C. � 1112(c). Federal agencies must use this standard terminology when they provide information to Congress. 31 U.S.C. � 1112(d).GAO publishes the terminology developed pursuant to this authority in A Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process, GAO-05-734SP (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 2005) [hereinafter Glossary]. Unless otherwise noted, the terminology used throughout this publication is based on the Glossary. The following sections present some of the more important terminology in the budget and appropriations process. Many other terms will be defined in the chapters that deal specifically with them.

In recent years, congressional concern and public debate have increased about the nature and growing number of earmarks. This report seeks to provide Congress and the public with an understanding of how agencies respond to congressional funding directions by examining how selected executive branch agencies translate these directions from Congress into governmental activities. There have been numerous calls in and out of Congress for earmark reform in response to concerns about the nature and number of earmarks. Both Houses of Congress have taken steps to increase disclosure requirements. The President has also called for earmark reform. In January 2007, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed agencies to collect and submit data to it on fiscal year 2005 earmarks in appropriations bills and certain authorization bills. GAO collected and analyzed information on four agencies' processes (i.e., the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works programs). Our objectives were to identify, for these agencies, (1) their processes for identifying and categorizing congressional directives; (2) their processes for tracking, implementing, and reporting on congressional directives; and (3) agency officials' views on the trends and impact of congressional directives.