Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
- Committees
- Budget Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 30, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to consolidate all federal spending and revenue into one annual legislative package, increasing congressional oversight and fiscal discipline.
What it actually does
This bill fundamentally reforms the federal budget process by requiring Congress to adopt a single, comprehensive 'annual budget Act' that includes all federal spending and revenue, both discretionary and direct. It amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish a new timetable, mandate contributions from all authorizing committees, and remove the off-budget status of Social Security and Medicare trust funds.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the current fragmented budget process contributes to unsustainable deficits and debt, limits congressional involvement, and prevents comprehensive review of federal priorities. They contend that a single, comprehensive budget bill would enable more effective budget management, involve more Members of Congress, help control deficits, improve program coordination, and make Congress a more effective legislative body.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that consolidating all federal spending and revenue into one massive bill would make the budget process even more unwieldy and prone to gridlock, potentially leading to more frequent government shutdowns. Concerns could also be raised about the increased power of the Budget Committees and the political implications of bringing Social Security and Medicare trust funds onto the regular budget.
The bill is moderately dense due to its technical nature and amendments to existing law, but it is concise enough for an informed reader to evaluate within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 3
Definition of 'Annual Budget Act'
This section introduces and defines the term 'annual budget Act' within the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This new Act is specified as a single legislative measure that itemizes all federal budget authority and revenue, incorporating contributions from both the appropriations committees and all other committees that receive budget allocations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this definition is crucial for establishing the framework for a truly comprehensive budget, ensuring all fiscal decisions are considered within a single legislative vehicle, which enhances transparency and accountability.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that defining such a broad 'annual budget Act' could lead to an unmanageably large bill, making it difficult for members to fully understand or vote on individual components, potentially reducing rather than increasing accountability.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between the desire for comprehensive oversight and the practical challenges of legislating a single, massive budget bill that encompasses all federal financial activity.
Section 4
Revised Congressional Budget Timetable
This section significantly revises the timetable for the congressional budget process. Key changes include earlier deadlines for the President's budget, CBO reports, and committee views. It mandates that the House Budget Committee report the 'annual budget Act' by June 10 and that the House complete action on it by June 30, aiming for completion before the fiscal year begins on October 1.
Section 5(a)(1)(D)
Baseline Levels Apply if Budget Resolution Not Adopted
This provision states that if a concurrent resolution on the budget is not adopted by April 15, the Chair of the Budget Committee in each House must report baseline spending and revenue levels within three legislative days. These baseline levels would then apply in that House as if they were formally included in a concurrent resolution on the budget, providing a default framework for subsequent budget actions.
Section 6(d)
All Committees Submit Line Items and Proposals
This section mandates that every committee, beyond just the Appropriations Committees, that receives a budget allocation must compile and submit direct spending and revenue projections for accounts within its jurisdiction. Crucially, these committees must also submit *legislation* to effect any recommended changes to policies within their jurisdiction, for inclusion in the 'annual budget Act'. The Budget Committee is empowered to return inconsistent submissions.
Section 8(a)
House Budget Committee Reports Annual Budget Act by June 10
This section requires the House Budget Committee to report the 'annual budget Act' by June 10 each year. This Act must include, without substantive revision, new budget authority from all Appropriations subcommittees and all line items and recommended changes submitted by other House committees with jurisdiction over spending or revenue policies. If a committee fails to submit its legislation, the Budget Committee must include baseline line items for those matters.
Section 12
Off-Budget Agencies, Programs, and Activities
This section amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 by removing the exclusion of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds from the definition of 'off-budget' agencies, programs, and activities. This change effectively brings Social Security and Disability Insurance onto the regular federal budget, making their spending and revenue subject to the same annual congressional budgeting process as other federal programs.
Removes the exclusion of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds from 'off-budget' status, effectively bringing Social Security and Disability Insurance onto the regular federal budget.
Section 12
Why it matters:While technically a conforming amendment to a definition, its placement at the end of a procedural bill could be seen as an attempt to de-emphasize its profound policy implications. It's a common legislative practice to group related technical amendments, but the substantive impact here is far-reaching.
Case for: Supporters argue that including these trust funds in the overall budget provides a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the nation's fiscal health, forcing Congress to confront their long-term solvency challenges directly within the annual budget process.
Case against: Critics contend that this move could expose Social Security and Disability Insurance to greater political risk, making them more susceptible to annual cuts or changes that could undermine their dedicated funding and the financial security of beneficiaries.
Estimated impact: This change would integrate hundreds of billions of dollars in annual spending and revenue from these programs into the general federal budget, potentially altering the political dynamics of their funding and benefit structures.
Requires each committee (other than Appropriations) to submit not only direct spending and revenue projections but also *legislation* to effect any recommended changes within its jurisdiction for inclusion in the annual budget Act.
Section 6(d)(1)(A)(ii) and (B)
Why it matters:This is a critical operational detail that transforms how authorizing committees engage with the budget. It's buried because the primary focus of the section is on the allocation process, but this specific wording dictates the *form* of their contribution, making it a legislative rather than merely advisory role. This is standard legislative drafting for procedural changes.
Case for: Proponents argue that requiring actual legislative proposals ensures that committees are fully engaged in shaping the budget and provides a concrete mechanism for incorporating policy changes related to direct spending and revenue into the comprehensive budget Act.
Case against: Critics might argue that this requirement places an undue burden on authorizing committees, forcing them to draft complex legislative text annually, potentially leading to rushed or poorly considered policy changes within the tight budget timetable.
Estimated impact: This would significantly alter the legislative drafting and policy development process for all authorizing committees, impacting potentially hundreds of direct spending and revenue programs.