U. S. Budget Reconciliation for the 119th Congress

What is it? How can we get involved?

By Lynda Keck 

Despite the short-lived fight over the most recent Continuing Resolution to keep government operating at its current level – budget reconciliation is on the horizon.  It is a complicated but very useful political tool we can use to turn conservative ideas into law!  Consider this: 60 votes are required to pass legislation in the Senate (a 3/5^th majority).  However, budget reconciliation allows a simple majority (51 votes) to bypass the Senate filibuster and enact reforms into law.  This is the “golden opportunity” the Trump administration is counting on to fund mandates given to his administration by “we the people”.   It is a very powerful, double-edged sword that must be wielded carefully.  Legislation must be made lasting or perhaps permanent for the most important changes to actually restore our nation’s trajectory.  

Budget reconciliation is actually a 2-step process.   First, a budget resolution must be passed. Second, the actual budget reconciliation process begins.   Both the Senate and the House are involved.   

The budget resolution is a document outlining the federal government’s desired levels of spending (outlays), revenue (taxes and other sources), debt (the ceiling), and deficit (any spending in excess of revenue).   It is usually projected over a period of typically 10 years. It serves as a framework for Congress to create annual spending bills. Currently, the 119^th Congress is working on resolving the differences between the two versions of the resolution – one from the Senate and one from the House.  The versions must match in the final budget resolution before the reconciliation process can kick off. 

Second, budget reconciliation is a process that begins with receiving the key values of revenue, spending, debt and deficit from the budget resolution and then deciding what line items will make it into the budget.  From that – bills may need to be written and passed to bring line items into reality.  Note that not every type of reform can be accomplished via this process – however, purse strings do make a difference.   

Here are some of the key reconciliation areas to pay attention to in the process this year: 

• Border and Immigration.  By increasing resources for Departments of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense while also stopping funding for NGOs currently funneling money into programs created by the prior administration – our borders can not only be secured, but illegals can also be deported, and immigration restored to normal. 
• Waste, Fraud and Abuse.  By implementing line items in the reconciliation process – bills can be passed to permanently stop contracts and grants to wasteful programs, able-bodied people can be taken off Medicaid rolls and returned to work, Green New-Deal programs can be defunded and left wing special pass through funding can be squashed.  DOGE has led the charge, but Congress needs to make the changes permanent. 
• Restoring the American Energy Industry.  Even though utility rates are determined by states, the federal government can still influence how affordable it is to produce energy here at home.  Leases and permits on federal land fall under “revenue”  they can increase during reconciliation by opening up more leases and permits.  And, cutting unnecessary regulations can make refining and delivering energy more efficient so companies can pass savings on to consumers.
• Eliminating the Department of Education.   This department has NOT contributed to its intended purpose.  For details on how this department can be dismantled, see the Heritage Foundation article on this topic.   Educaton Reconciliation
• Spurring Economic Growth.   By keeping the original Trump tax cuts from his first term and adding new ones – our economy will be spurred on to grow stronger and more stable.  More businesses, more jobs, more revenue from those enterprises – all adds up to keeping our country stronger.   Less public sector spending, more private sector spending.   

Obviously, these are only a few of the larger areas that should be targets during the reconciliation process – there are many more that deserve attention such as restoring military strength, advancing improvements in health, etc.    There are many other aspects of the budgeting process not explained in this brief article, such as discretionary spending that falls under the Appropriations process and the Byrd Rule (certain restrictions).   I encourage you to research the process further if you are inclined. 

So, what can YOU do to help drive the process in the right direction?  Speak up!  There is a survey being conducted right now that you can fill out regarding the 5 areas outlined above:  Heritage Foundation Survey

And, of course, you can contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives by many means: phone,  email, and good old fashioned letters.   It also helps to join organizations that help take your message to Congress via lobbyists and other means.