Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act

Full Title:
Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill would change how Congress makes the federal budget. It defines an "annual budget Act" as a single, itemized budget that lists all federal budget authority and revenue. Committees other than appropriations must send line-by-line spending and revenue items and any proposed laws to change those items to the Budget Committee for inclusion in the annual budget Act. The bill sets a new timetable: the President's budget due first Monday in February, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) due February 15, committee submissions due within six weeks after the President's budget, the House Budget Committee must report the annual budget Act by June 10, and the House should complete action by June 30. If a concurrent budget resolution is not adopted by April 15, House and Senate Budget Committee chairs must report baseline levels within three legislative days. The House may not approve an adjournment of more than three days in July until it has approved the annual budget Act. The CBO must analyze committee submissions of proposed direct spending or revenue changes. The bill also makes several technical changes to existing budget law, including changes to how off-budget agencies and accounts are treated.

What it means for you#

  • All committees with spending or revenue authority must report detailed line items and any proposed legislative changes for the annual budget.
  • The process adds deadlines: committee submissions, a June 10 House Budget Committee report, and a June 30 House completion target.
  • The House cannot take a long July recess until it approves the annual budget Act.
  • The CBO will review and report on committee proposals that change spending or revenue.
  • The bill notes that major trust funds (like Social Security, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and the Highway Trust Fund) face depletion within 10 years and brings them into the broader budget discussion.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings say supporters believe a comprehensive, annual, line-item budget would:

  • enable more effective budget management;
  • involve more Members of Congress in budgeting;
  • help set priorities and control deficits and debt;
  • improve program coordination;
  • add value for the public; and
  • make the legislative branch a more effective policymaking body.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.