The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (the Budget Act) provides for the adoption of a concurrent resolution on the budget by April 15 each year for the fiscal year beginning October 1. By writing a budget resolution, Congress helps guide federal spending and revenue policies for the year. It is also the only way to ini…

In April 2025, the House and Senate adopted H.Con.Res. 14, a budget resolution for FY2025. The budget resolution generally represents an agreement between the House and Senate on a budgetary plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Certain budgetary levels established in the budget resolution may be enforceable by points of…

Medicaid is a means-tested entitlement program that finances the delivery of primary and acute medical services as well as long-term services and supports (LTSS). Medicaid is a federal and state partnership that is jointly financed by both the federal government and the states. The federal government’s share for most…

Medicaid is a means-tested entitlement program that finances the delivery of primary and acute medical services as well as long-term services and supports. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states. The federal government’s share of most Medicaid expenditures is called the Federal Medical Ass…

On February 21, 2025, the Senate adopted S.Con.Res. 7, a budget resolution for FY2025. The House adopted a different budget resolution for FY2025, H.Con.Res. 14, on February 25, 2025. Although both include reconciliation instructions, a budget resolution has no effect until both chambers have agreed to the same legisl…

Each year, Congress makes decisions about appropriations to provide discretionary funding for a broad range of government activities related to defense, transportation, education, the environment, homeland security, and community development. Congress typically provides such funds through the enactment of 12 regular a…