S 360 would automatically reduce nonsecurity federal spending by specific percentages each fiscal year: 1% for 2026, 2% for 2027, and 5% annually starting in 2028. It directly affects nonsecurity discretionary programs like education, transportation, and scientific research (excluding defense and intelligence), as defined by the bill. The reductions apply pro rata across all such programs funded through annual appropriations. The Office of Management and Budget must report these cuts to Congress annually after each fiscal year ends.
HR 3912, the Stop the Baseline Bloat Act of 2025, changes how the federal budget baseline is calculated by excluding emergency funding and supplemental appropriations. This affects the annual budget process by removing these funds from the baseline figure used to measure spending limits under the Budget Control Act. The key provision amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act to specify that emergency requirements and supplemental funding are not counted in the baseline calculation. As a result, future budget targets will reflect only regular appropriations, not additional emergency or supplemental spending.
This concurrent resolution establishes the federal budget framework for fiscal years 2025 through 2034, setting specific targets for revenues, spending, and deficits across the decade. It projects federal revenues to increase from $3.4 trillion in 2025 to $5.4 trillion in 2034, with deficits ranging from $2.08 trillion to $2.12 trillion over the period. The resolution includes specific deficit reduction requirements for 11 congressional committees, such as a $880 billion target for the Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce deficits over the 10-year period. It also contains policy statements supporting economic growth through reduced spending, deregulation, and tax cuts. This resolution serves as the budgetary blueprint that Congress will use to guide spending decisions for the next decade.
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, which may occur over more than one year. Under the amendment, expenditures include all federal expenditures except those for payment of debt. Receipts do not include receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires Congress to achieve balance within 10 years of the ratification of the amendment. In an emergency situation, two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate may authorize additional expenditures that are not otherwise permitted by the amendment. The additional expenditures must be for a limited time, and debts incurred from the expenditures must be paid as soon as practicable.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its annual budget, meaning spending cannot exceed revenue unless overridden by a two-thirds vote in both House and Senate. It also caps annual spending at 18% of GDP unless a similar two-thirds vote approves an exception. The amendment mandates the President submit a balanced budget proposal each year and requires a two-thirds vote to pass new taxes or increase tax revenue. These rules would directly affect all federal spending decisions, including defense, social programs, and debt management, with limited exceptions for declared wars or national security threats.
This bill, titled "Emergency Border Control Resolution," is actually a budget resolution establishing fiscal year 2025-2034 budget levels for the U.S. government. It sets detailed revenue, spending, and deficit targets across various government functions, including defense, health, and social programs. The resolution includes reconciliation instructions for committees to adjust laws within their jurisdictions to meet deficit targets. The title appears to be a political label rather than an accurate description of the bill's content, as it contains no actual border control provisions.
