Bill Overview
Title: Budget Process Enhancement Act
Description: This bill modifies the federal budget process to withhold the salaries of Members of Congress and cancel the salaries of certain employees of the Office of Management and Budget when certain budget process requirements are not met. The bill also changes the assumptions that the Congressional Budget Office uses to calculate its baseline for discretionary spending to eliminate certain adjustments for inflation and other factors. (A baseline is a projection of federal spending and receipts during a fiscal year under current law.)
Sponsors: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by changes in the federal budget process
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The Budget Process Enhancement Act affects federal employees, primarily those within the U.S. government, working at the congressional level or in the Office of Management and Budget.
- Members of Congress, numbering 535 including both the House and Senate, are directly affected as their salaries may be withheld.
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) employs approximately 500 people, some of whose salaries could be canceled under this bill.
- The entire U.S. population might be indirectly impacted as changes in budget processes can influence federal spending priorities and fiscal policy.
Reasoning
- The Budget Process Enhancement Act directly impacts a small group of federal employees, including Members of Congress and some within the Office of Management and Budget. This number is estimated to be around 1,000 individuals.
- Indirectly, the changes to budget processes could have broader implications for all U.S. citizens as it may influence federal spending policies and priorities, affecting different sectors and services that rely on federal funding.
- Given the budget constraints of the policy, immediate impacts will be centered around the enforcement and those directly involved, while broader behavioral changes in budget processes may lead to indirect effects over time.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores reflect both direct impacts (such as salary withholding) and perceptions of future financial conditions due to budgetary changes.
Simulated Interviews
Senator (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might finally motivate us to meet budget process deadlines.
- I am concerned about the political repercussions if salaries are withheld.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Budget Analyst, OMB (Maryland)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I understand the intent, salary cancellation feels punitive.
- It might demoralize our team and affect work quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Engineer (California)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this impacting my daily life directly.
- It seems more of an internal government matter.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (New York)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes in budget might affect public services I rely on.
- I need assurance that social services won't be impacted adversely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Government Contractor (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Project funding could become uncertain with new budget calculations.
- It's important we keep track of any changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Congressional Staff (Virginia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned about the job security implications.
- Pressure might increase on Congressional relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes to federal budget processes could impact the economy.
- I need to stay informed on possible fiscal implications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Public School Teacher (Illinois)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal budget changes might filter down to education funding.
- I hope this doesn't affect school budgeting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Federal Employee, Dept. of Agriculture (Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift in budget assumptions is concerning.
- Heightened scrutiny might shift fiscal priorities affecting my department.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Nonprofit Worker (North Carolina)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could have implications for future funding cycles.
- It's important this doesn't compromise our nonprofit's federal support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2500000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Altered budget process might lead to improved fiscal responsibility and policy efficiency.
- The withholding of salaries may act as a deterrent to non-compliance with budgetary rules.
- Changes to the CBO's baseline assumptions could realign perceptions of federal spending needs.