1、Order Code RS20175Updated June 17, 2008Overview of the Executive Budget ProcessBill Heniff Jr.Analyst on the Congress and Legislative ProcessGovernment and Finance DivisionThe executive budget process consists of three main phases: development of thePresidents budget; interaction with Congress; and
2、execution of the budget. This factsheet provides a brief overview of each of these phases. For more information on thebudget process, see the CRS Guides to Congressional Processes at http:/www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml.Development of the Presidents BudgetThe legal framework originally
3、established by the Budget and Accounting Act of1921 requires the President to submit annually a comprehensive budget to Congress thatcovers the full range of federal activities. Current law requires the President to submit hisbudget proposal no later than the first Monday in February (31 U.S.C. 1105
4、(a).The formulation of the budget usually begins approximately 10 months before thePresident submits his budget to Congress (about 18 months before the start of the fiscalyear). During the early stages of the budgets formulation, federal agencies prepare theirbudget requests following their own proc