United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014) |
Title 2. THE CONGRESS |
Chapter 20. EMERGENCY POWERS TO ELIMINATE BUDGET DEFICITS |
SubChapter I. ELIMINATION OF DEFICITS IN EXCESS OF MAXIMUM DEFICIT AMOUNT |
§ 904. Reports and orders
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(a) Timetable The timetable with respect to this subchapter for any budget year is as follows:
Date:
Action to be completed:
January 21
Notification regarding optional adjustment of maximum deficit amount.
5 days before the President’s budget submission
CBO sequestration preview report.
The President’s budget submission
OMB sequestration preview report.
August 10
Notification regarding military personnel.
August 15
CBO sequestration update report.
August 20
OMB sequestration update report.
10 days after end of session
CBO final sequestration report.
15 days after end of session
OMB final sequestration report; Presidential order.
(b) Submission and availability of reports Each report required by this section shall be submitted, in the case of CBO, to the House of Representatives, the Senate and OMB and, in the case of OMB, to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President on the day it is issued. On the following day a notice of the report shall be printed in the Federal Register.
(c) Sequestration preview reports (1) Reporting requirement On the dates specified in subsection (a) of this section, OMB and CBO shall issue a preview report regarding discretionary, pay-as-you-go, and deficit sequestration based on laws enacted through those dates.
(2) Discretionary sequestration report The preview reports shall set forth estimates for the current year and each subsequent year through 2021 of the applicable discretionary spending limits for each category and an explanation of any adjustments in such limits under section 901 of this title.
(3) Pay-as-you-go sequestration reports The preview reports shall set forth, for the current year and the budget year, estimates for each of the following: (A) The amount of net deficit increase or decrease, if any, calculated under section 902(b) of this title. (B) A list identifying each law enacted and sequestration implemented after November 5, 1990 , included in the calculation of the amount of deficit increase or decrease and specifying the budgetary effect of each such law.(C) The sequestration percentage or (if the required sequestration percentage is greater than the maximum allowable percentage for medicare) percentages necessary to eliminate a deficit increase under section 902(c) of this title. (4) Deficit sequestration reports The preview reports shall set forth for the budget year estimates for each of the following: (A) The maximum deficit amount, the estimated deficit calculated under section 903(b) of this title, the excess deficit, and the margin. (B) The amount of reductions required under section 902 of this title, the excess deficit remaining after those reductions have been made, and the amount of reductions required from defense accounts and the reductions required from non-defense accounts. (C) The sequestration percentage necessary to achieve the required reduction in defense accounts under section 903(d) of this title. (D) The reductions required under sections 903(e)(1) and 903(e)(2) of this title. (E) The sequestration percentage necessary to achieve the required reduction in non-defense accounts under section 903(e)(3) of this title. The CBO report need not set forth the items other than the maximum deficit amount for fiscal year 1992, 1993, or any fiscal year for which the President notifies the House of Representatives and the Senate that he will adjust the maximum deficit amount under the option under section 903(g)(1)(B) of this title. (5) Explanation of differences The OMB reports shall explain the differences between OMB and CBO estimates for each item set forth in this subsection.
(d) Notification regarding military personnel On or before the date specified in subsection (a) of this section, the President shall notify the Congress of the manner in which he intends to exercise flexibility with respect to military personnel accounts under section 905(f) of this title.
(e) Sequestration update reports On the dates specified in subsection (a) of this section, OMB and CBO shall issue a sequestration update report, reflecting laws enacted through those dates, containing all of the information required in the sequestration preview reports. This report shall also contain a preview estimate of the adjustment for disaster funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
(f) Final sequestration reports (1) Reporting requirement On the dates specified in subsection (a) of this section, OMB and CBO shall issue a final sequestration report, updated to reflect laws enacted through those dates.
(2) Discretionary sequestration reports The final reports shall set forth estimates for each of the following: (A) For the current year and each subsequent year through 2021 the applicable discretionary spending limits for each category and an explanation of any adjustments in such limits under section 901 of this title, including a final estimate of the adjustment for disaster funding. (B) For the current year and the budget year the estimated new budget authority and outlays for each category and the breach, if any, in each category. (C) For each category for which a sequestration is required, the sequestration percentages necessary to achieve the required reduction. (D) For the budget year, for each account to be sequestered, estimates of the baseline level of sequestrable budgetary resources and resulting outlays and the amount of budgetary resources to be sequestered and resulting outlay reductions. (3) Pay-as-you-go and deficit sequestration reports The final reports shall contain all the information required in the pay-as-you-go and deficit sequestration preview reports. In addition, these reports shall contain, for the budget year, for each account to be sequestered, estimates of the baseline level of sequestrable budgetary resources and resulting outlays and the amount of budgetary resources to be sequestered and resulting outlay reductions. The reports shall also contain estimates of the effects on outlays of the sequestration in each outyear for direct spending programs.
(4) Explanation of differences The OMB report shall explain any differences between OMB and CBO estimates of the amount of any net deficit change calculated under section 902(b) of this title, any excess deficit, any breach, and any required sequestration percentage. The OMB report shall also explain differences in the amount of sequesterable resources for any budget account to be reduced if such difference is greater than $5,000,000.
(5) Presidential order On the date specified in subsection (a) of this section, if in its final sequestration report OMB estimates that any sequestration is required, the President shall issue an order fully implementing without change all sequestrations required by the OMB calculations set forth in that report. This order shall be effective on issuance.
(g) Within-session sequestration reports and order If an appropriation for a fiscal year in progress is enacted (after Congress adjourns to end the session for that budget year and before July 1 of that fiscal year) that causes a breach, 10 days later CBO shall issue a report containing the information required in paragraph (f)(2). Fifteen days after enactment, OMB shall issue a report containing the information required in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(4). On the same day as the OMB report, the President shall issue an order fully implementing without change all sequestrations required by the OMB calculations set forth in that report. This order shall be effective on issuance.
(h) GAO compliance report Upon request of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the Senate, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress and the President a report on— (1) the extent to which each order issued by the President under this section complies with all of the requirements contained in this subchapter, either certifying that the order fully and accurately complies with such requirements or indicating the respects in which it does not; and (2) the extent to which each report issued by OMB or CBO under this section complies with all of the requirements contained in this subchapter, either certifying that the report fully and accurately complies with such requirements or indicating the respects in which it does not. (i) Low-growth report At any time, CBO shall notify the Congress if— (1) during the period consisting of the quarter during which such notification is given, the quarter preceding such notification, and the 4 quarters following such notification, CBO or OMB has determined that real economic growth is projected or estimated to be less than zero with respect to each of any 2 consecutive quarters within such period; or (2) the most recent of the Department of Commerce’s advance preliminary or final reports of actual real economic growth indicate that the rate of real economic growth for each of the most recently reported quarter and the immediately preceding quarter is less than one percent. (j) Economic and technical assumptions In all reports required by this section, OMB shall use the same economic and technical assumptions as used in the most recent budget submitted by the President under section 1105(a) of title 31.
Codification
Amendments
2013—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 113–67, § 121(3), substituted “section 902(b)” for “subsection 902(b)”.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 113–67, § 121(4), substituted “section 902(b)” for “subsection 902(b)”.
2011—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 112–25, § 103(1), substituted “2021” for “2002”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–25, § 103(2), added “This report shall also contain a preview estimate of the adjustment for disaster funding for the upcoming fiscal year.” at end.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 112–25, § 103(3), substituted “2021” for “2002” and inserted “, including a final estimate of the adjustment for disaster funding” before period at end.
1997—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c), substituted “2002” for “1998” in par. (2), and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (c). Text read as follows: “With respect to budget year 1994 or 1995, on the date specified in subsection (a) of this section the President shall notify the House of Representatives and the Senate of his decision regarding the optional adjustment of the maximum deficit amount (as allowed under section 903(g)(1)(B) of this title).”
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), (3), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and substituted “section 905(f)” for “section 905(h)”. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(4)(A), substituted “2002” for “1998”.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(4)(B), struck out “through 1998” after “each outyear”.
Subsec. (f)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(4)(C), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (4) and (5), respectively, and struck out heading and text of former par. (4). Text read as follows: “The final reports shall set forth for the budget year estimates for each of the following:
“(A) The amount of budget authority appropriated from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund and outlays resulting from those appropriations.
“(B) The sequestration percentage and reductions, if any, required under section 901a of this title.”
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), (5), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and substituted “paragraph (f)(2)” for “paragraph (g)(2)” and “paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(4)” for “paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(4)”. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).
Subsecs. (h) to (k). Pub. L. 105–33, § 10206(1), redesignated subsecs. (i) to (k) as (h) to (j), respectively. Former subsec. (h) redesignated (g).
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–316, § 102(d)(1), struck out item at end of timetable relating to GAO compliance report.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–316, § 102(d)(2), in introductory provisions substituted “Upon request of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or the Senate” for “On the date specified in subsection (a) of this section”.
1994—Subsec. (g)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 103–322 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.
1993—Subsecs. (d)(2), (g)(2)(A), (3). Pub. L. 103–66 substituted “1998” for “1995”.
1990—Pub. L. 101–508 amended section generally, substituting provisions setting out timetable and requisite content of reports and orders developed as part of sequestration process for former provisions relating to special Congressional procedures in the event of recession, Congressional responses to Presidential orders, and treatment of certain resolutions as reconciliation bills.
1987—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–119, § 102(b)(1), substituted “the Director of OMB” for “the Comptroller General”.
Subsec. (b)(1)(E). Pub. L. 100–119, § 106(e)(2), inserted provisions relating to maximum deficit amount for fiscal year 1988 or 1989.
Miscellaneous
Subsections (c), (f)(3), and (i) of this section inapplicable to the Congressional Budget Office, see section 104(b) of Pub. L. 112–25, set out as a note under section 902 of this title.
1991—Pub. L. 102–27, title IV, § 401(b),
Pub. L. 101–508, title XIII, § 13401,
Pub. L. 101–467, § 105,
Pub. L. 101–461, § 113,
Pub. L. 101–444, § 113,
Pub. L. 101–412, § 113,
Pub. L. 101–403, title I, § 113,
Final Order of the President of the United States,
By the authority vested in me as President by the statutes of the United States of America, including section 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177) [2 U.S.C. 904], as amended by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100–119) and Title XIII of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–508) (hereafter referred to as “the Act”), I hereby order that the following actions be taken immediately to implement the sequestrations and reductions determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as set forth in his report dated
(1) Budgetary resources for each non-exempt account within the international category of discretionary spending shall be reduced as specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
(2) Pursuant to sections 250(c)(6) and 251 [former 2 U.S.C. 900(c)(6), 2 U.S.C. 901], budgetary resources subject to sequestration shall be new budget authority; new loan guarantee commitments or limitations; new direct loan obligations, commitments, or limitations; and obligation limitations.
(3) For accounts making commitments for guaranteed loans as authorized by substantive law, the head of each Department or agency is directed to reduce the level of such commitments or obligations to the extent necessary to conform to the limitations established by the Act [Pub. L. 99–177, title II, see Short Title note set out under 2 U.S.C. 900] and specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
All sequestrations shall be made in strict accordance with the specifications of the November 9th report of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the requirements of sections 251 and 254.
Final Order of the President of the United States,
By the authority vested in me as President by the statutes of the United States of America, including section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177) [2 U.S.C. 902], as amended by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100–119) (hereafter referred to as “the Act”), I hereby order that the following actions shall be taken to implement the sequestrations and reductions determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as set forth in his report dated
(1) Each automatic spending increase that would, but for the provisions of the Act, take effect during fiscal year 1991 is permanently sequestered or reduced as provided in section 252.
(2) The following are sequestered as provided in section 252: new budget authority; unobligated balances; new loan guarantee commitments or limitations; new direct loan obligations, commitments, or limitations; spending authority as defined in section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended [2 U.S.C. 651(c)(2)]; and obligation limitations.
(3) For accounts making payments otherwise required by substantive law, the head of each Department or agency is directed to modify the calculation of each such payment to the extent necessary to reduce the estimate of total required payments for the fiscal year by the amount specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
(4) For accounts making commitments for guaranteed loans as authorized by substantive law, the head of each Department or agency is directed to reduce the level of such commitments or obligations to the extent necessary to conform to the limitations established by the Act and specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
All reductions and sequestrations shall be made in strict accordance with the specifications of the October 15th report of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the requirements of section 252(b).
This order supersedes the Initial Order issued on
This order shall be published in the Federal Register.
Initial Order of the President of the United States,
1990—Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6001,
Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6101,
Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6201,
Pub. L. 101–239, title XI, § 11002,
New Final Order of the President of the United States,
By the authority vested in me as President by the statutes of the United States of America, including section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177) [2 U.S.C. 902], as amended by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100–119) (hereafter referred to as “the Act”), and section 11002 of the Omnibus [Budget] Reconciliation Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–239) (“OBRA”) [set out above], I hereby order that the following actions be taken to implement the sequestrations and reductions determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as set forth in his report dated
(1) Each automatic spending increase that would, but for the provisions of the Act, take effect during fiscal year 1990 is permanently sequestered or reduced as provided in section 252 of the Act and section 11002 of OBRA.
(2) The following are sequestered as provided in section 252 of the Act and section 11002 of OBRA: new budget authority; unobligated balances; new loan guarantee commitments or limitations; new direct loan obligations, commitments, or limitations; spending authority as defined in section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended [2 U.S.C. 651(c)(2)]; and obligation limitations.
(3) For accounts making payments otherwise required by substantive law, the head of each department or agency is directed to modify the calculation of each such payment to the extent necessary to reduce the estimate of total required payments for the fiscal year by the amount specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
(4) For accounts making commitments for guaranteed loans or obligations for direct loans as authorized by substantive law, the head of each department or agency is directed to reduce the level of such commitments or obligations to the extent necessary to conform to the limitations established by the Act and by OBRA and specified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in his report of
All reductions and sequestrations shall be made in strict accordance with the specifications of the December 27th report of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the requirements of section 252(b) of the Act and section 11002 of OBRA.
This order shall be deemed to have become effective on
This order shall be published [in the] Federal Register.
Final Order of the President of the United States,
Initial Order of the President of the United States,
1989—Final Order of the President of the United States,
Initial Order of the President of the United States,
1988—Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4001, 4041(b), 4061, title VIII, § 8002,
Pub. L. 100–202, § 1,
Order of the President of the United States,
Order of the President of the United States,
1986—Pub. L. 99–366,
Pub. L. 99–349, title II, § 202,
Pub. L. 99–255,
Order of the President of the United States,