Discretionary Budget Authority by Subfunction: An Overview (open access)

Discretionary Budget Authority by Subfunction: An Overview

This report presents figures showing trends in discretionary budget authority as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) by subfunction within each of 17 budget function categories, using data from President Obama's FY2016 budget submission. This report provides a graphical overview of historical trends in discretionary budget authority from FY1977 through FY2014, estimates for FY2015 spending, and the levels consistent with the President's proposals for FY2016 through FY2020.
Date: February 5, 2015
Creator: Austin, D. Andrew
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Spending and the Budget Control Act Limits (open access)

Defense Spending and the Budget Control Act Limits

This report discusses the Budget Control Act, which sets limits on defense spending between fiscal years 2012 and 2021 and possible measures to avoid a sequester. The current debate in Congress has centered on whether to adjust the BCA defense caps upward; move base budget spending to accounts designated for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) that are not subject to spending limits; reduce the defense spending in the Administration's request to comply with BCA revised caps; or use some combination of these approaches.
Date: July 22, 2015
Creator: Belasco, Amy
System: The UNT Digital Library
Potential Policy Implications of the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 3762) (open access)

Potential Policy Implications of the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 3762)

This report provides background on the reconciliation process of the FY2016 budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 11) and summarizes the provisions in H.R. 37622, a reconciliation bill containing provisions submitted by three committees pursuant to the reconciliation instructions included in the FY2016 budget resolution. It then briefly examines some of the bill's policy implications.
Date: November 2, 2015
Creator: Mach, Annie L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Budget Control Act of 2011 as Amended: Budgetary Effects (open access)

The Budget Control Act of 2011 as Amended: Budgetary Effects

This report discusses the effects of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25) on spending and the deficit, assuming that the automatic spending reductions proceed as scheduled from FY2016 to FY2021 and the discretionary spending caps remain in place.
Date: December 29, 2015
Creator: Driessen, Grant A. & Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief (open access)

Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief

This report provides an introduction to the public transportation program administered by the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This program was authorized in FY2016 through FY2020 by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114-94). The focus of the federal program is still on the capital side, but the program has evolved to support operational expenses in some circumstances, as well as safety oversight, planning, and research.
Date: December 28, 2015
Creator: Mallett, William J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2018 Defense Budget Request: The Basics (open access)

FY2018 Defense Budget Request: The Basics

This report discusses the federal budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2018 released by the Trump Administration on May 23, 2017.
Date: June 9, 2017
Creator: Williams, Lynn M. & Towell, Pat
System: The UNT Digital Library
President's FY2018 Budget Proposes Cuts in Public Health Service (PHS) Agency Funding (open access)

President's FY2018 Budget Proposes Cuts in Public Health Service (PHS) Agency Funding

This report outlines the significant reductions in funding for the Public Health Service (PHS) proposed by the President's FY2018 budget.
Date: May 24, 2017
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defining Readiness: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Defining Readiness: Background and Issues for Congress

This report discusses how differing uses of the term "readiness" affect congressional debate, but does not evaluate the current state of the U.S. military or provide a conclusive definition of readiness. It also considers how the different uses of the term readiness relate to certain issues: Is there a readiness crisis? What should the U.S. military be ready for? How should readiness be measured? How does the FY2018 budget request affect the U.S. military's readiness?
Date: June 14, 2017
Creator: Rumbaugh, Russell
System: The UNT Digital Library
Legislative Branch: FY2018 Appropriations (open access)

Legislative Branch: FY2018 Appropriations

This report discusses the the legislative branch appropriations bill (FY2018, which provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives;Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Open World Leadership Center; and the John C. Stennis Center.
Date: July 20, 2017
Creator: Brudnick, Ida A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
FY2018 Appropriations for Department of Justice Grant Programs (open access)

FY2018 Appropriations for Department of Justice Grant Programs

This report discusses the funding for a variety of grant programs through the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Date: July 18, 2017
Creator: James, Nathan
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Budget: Overview and Issues for FY2018 and Beyond (open access)

The Federal Budget: Overview and Issues for FY2018 and Beyond

This report summarizes issues surrounding the federal budget, examines policy changes relevant to the budget framework for FY2018, and discusses recent major policy proposals included in the President's FY2018 budget. It concludes by addressing major short- and long-term fiscal challenges facing the federal government.
Date: June 30, 2017
Creator: Driessen, Grant A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2018 (open access)

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2018

This report provides an overview and analysis of FY2018 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary focus of this report is on Congressional direction and funding provided to DHS through the appropriations process, though note is also made of funding made available to DHS outside this process (e.g., user fees and trust funds). It includes an Appendix with definitions of key budget terms used throughout the suite of Congressional Research Service reports on homeland security appropriations. It also directs the reader to other reports providing context for and additional details regarding specific component appropriations and issues engaged through the FY2018 appropriations process.
Date: August 22, 2017
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape (open access)

The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

This report discusses the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), its appropriations requests for fiscal year 2018, and various proposals for restructuring the agency made in Congress.
Date: August 14, 2017
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
System: The UNT Digital Library
Energy and Water Development: FY2018 Appropriations (open access)

Energy and Water Development: FY2018 Appropriations

This report discusses the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill that provides funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
Date: July 19, 2017
Creator: Holt, Mark
System: The UNT Digital Library
Comparing DHS Component Funding, Fiscal Year 2018: In Brief (open access)

Comparing DHS Component Funding, Fiscal Year 2018: In Brief

This report illustrates the appropriations for various parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2018 compared with funding levels for fiscal year 2017 in a series of charts and tables.
Date: August 21, 2017
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Research and Development Funding: Fiscal Year 2018 (open access)

Federal Research and Development Funding: Fiscal Year 2018

This report begins with a discussion of the overall level of President Trump's FY2018 R&D request, followed by analyses of the R&D funding request from a variety of perspectives and for selected multiagency R&D initiatives. The report concludes with discussion and analysis of the R&D budget requests of selected federal departments and agencies that, collectively, account for nearly 99% of total federal R&D funding. Selected terms associated with federal R&D funding are defined in the text box on the next page. Appendix A provides a list of acronyms and abbreviations.
Date: August 14, 2017
Creator: Sargent, John F., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
In Brief: Highlights of Fiscal Year 2018 Defense Appropriations Actions (open access)

In Brief: Highlights of Fiscal Year 2018 Defense Appropriations Actions

This report outlines the defense related appropriations request for fiscal year 2018 and selected issues in Congress dealing with the defense budget.
Date: August 2, 2017
Creator: Williams, Lynn M. & Towell, Pat
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS, FFGX) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS, FFGX) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FFG(X)) program, a program to procure a total of 40, and possibly as many as 52, small surface combatants (SSCs), meaning LCSs and frigates. A total of 29 LCSs have been procured through FY2017. For FY2018, the Navy is requesting the procurement of two more LCSs, which would be the 30th and 31st. The program presents several oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the LCS/FFG(X) program will affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: September 22, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s, and authority for a new multiyear procurement (MYP) contract covering DDG-51s to be procured in FY2018-FY2022. Decisions that Congress makes concerning destroyer procurement could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: October 3, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding (open access)

Assistance to Firefighters Program: Distribution of Fire Grant Funding

This report discusses the federal government's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to assist local fire and rescue organizations with needs such as equipment and training and upcoming consideration of its reauthorization along with funding levels for fiscal year 2018.
Date: October 5, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Columbia Class (Ohio Replacement) Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Columbia Class (Ohio Replacement) Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report discusses the Navy's program for building and procuring new Columbia Class ballistic missile submarines and their 2018 fiscal year requests to Congress.
Date: August 8, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal Funding and Issues (open access)

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal Funding and Issues

This report discuses the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and its federal funding which it then distributes parts of to PBS and NPR. Past, current, and proposed funding levels are outlined and arguments for and against federal support for public broadcasting are also discussed.
Date: May 3, 2017
Creator: McLoughlin, Glenn J. & Gomez, Lena A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Fiscal Year 2018 Budget and Appropriations (open access)

Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Fiscal Year 2018 Budget and Appropriations

This report outlines the 2018 fiscal year budget request for the State Department, foreign operations, and related programs such as foreign aid. Funding levels requested, major projects for the year, and Congressional actions are discussed.
Date: September 27, 2017
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.; Lawson, Marian L. & Gill, Cory R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy Frigate (FFG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and discusses potential issues for Congress regarding the Navy's FFG(X) program, a program to procure a new class of guided-missile frigates. The FFG(X) program was initiated as part of the Navy's FY2018 budget submission. The Navy wants to procure the first FFG(X) in FY2020. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests $143.5 million in research and development funding for the program. The FFG(X) program presents several potential oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on the program could affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base.
Date: September 28, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library