Budget Policy:
Biennial Budgeting for the Federal Government
T-AIMD-94-4: Published: Oct 7, 1993. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 1993.
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GAO discussed the National Performance Review's (NPR) proposals for biennial budgets and appropriations. GAO noted that: (1) under the NPR proposal, the President would submit budget proposals, authorizations, budget resolutions, and appropriations every 2 years; (2) a 2-year budget cycle would be less burdensome and time-consuming and provide more stability to programs; (3) other NPR proposals for government operations will affect the government's ability to forecast future budgeting needs; (4) Congress should test 2-year budgets on stable organizations or programs that do not have budget forecasting or other problems that affect their budgets; (5) NPR believes that biennial budgeting would reduce the time spent on budget preparations and allow more time for program evaluation and oversight; (6) state experiences with biennial budgeting may not be relevant to the federal government, since state budgets fill a different role and are sensitive to different outside pressures; (7) states have shifted from biennial to annual budgeting in order to achieve greater accuracy in forecasting revenues and financial needs, and improve legislative control and response to rapid changes in revenues and program needs; (8) most states with biennial budgets are small or medium-sized; (9) most of the federal budget is not appropriated annually; (10) a 2-year appropriation cycle would change enforcement of congressional policy; and (11) if Congress decides to change to a biennial budget cycle, it should adopt bienniums starting October 1 of odd-numbered years so that budgets are adopted in the first year of a President's term and the first session of each Congress.
Dec 15, 2020
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Information on the Spending and Revenue Implications of Potential Debt TargetsGAO-21-211: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
A Long-Term Plan Is Needed for Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-21-161T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Effective Use of Fiscal Rules and TargetsGAO-20-561: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Jan 23, 2020
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Federal Trust Funds and Other Dedicated Funds:
Fiscal Sustainability Is a Growing Concern for Some Key FundsGAO-20-156: Published: Jan 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2019 UpdateGAO-20-269SP: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Nov 14, 2019
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Certificated Expenditures:
Executive Office of the President FY 2018 Certificated Expenditures Were Spent for Authorized PurposesGAO-20-139R: Published: Nov 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 14, 2019.
Oct 16, 2019
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Civilian Personnel:
Additional Guidance and Consistent Data Reporting Could Help Improve the Marine Corps' Budget ManagementGAO-20-148: Published: Oct 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2019.
Jun 26, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
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Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
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