Congressional budget reform : the unanticipated implications for federal policy making
By: JOYCE, Philip G
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Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Malden, MA : Blackwell Publishers, jul./aug. 1996Public administration review : PAR 56, 4, p. 317-325Abstract: What have been the long-term impacts of the 1974 Congressional Budget and improundment act? These 20-plus years have seen fundamental changes to the congressional budget proces. Many of these changes have had profounf - and unanticipated - changes for policy making. The author reviews these changes and discusses their implications> He finds theree main developments that have not received adequate scrutiny. Firts, the reconciliation process, almost an afterthought in 1974, has in many ways become the most important part of the process because of its ability to centralize decision making and force committees to take action. Second, while the original budget act in 1990, have attempted to use the process to drive policy autcomes. Third, the expanded importance of budget enforcement has led to a great potencial for distortions as policies are consider if and when the congressional budget process is revised again. In particular, history shows us that the process is better at informing budget choices than prescribing them.
What have been the long-term impacts of the 1974 Congressional Budget and improundment act? These 20-plus years have seen fundamental changes to the congressional budget proces. Many of these changes have had profounf - and unanticipated - changes for policy making. The author reviews these changes and discusses their implications> He finds theree main developments that have not received adequate scrutiny. Firts, the reconciliation process, almost an afterthought in 1974, has in many ways become the most important part of the process because of its ability to centralize decision making and force committees to take action. Second, while the original budget act in 1990, have attempted to use the process to drive policy autcomes. Third, the expanded importance of budget enforcement has led to a great potencial for distortions as policies are consider if and when the congressional budget process is revised again. In particular, history shows us that the process is better at informing budget choices than prescribing them.
Public administration review PAR
July/August 1996 volume 56 numero 4
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