Federal Budget

The federal budget process can have a tremendous impact on vital programs that make our State and our municipalities strong and stable. Staying aware of the impacts of the budget and working with your League and Federal representatives to respond to the proposals and can ensure the best possible outcome for municipalities.

The fiscal year is the accounting period for the federal government, beginning Oct. 1 and ending on Sept. 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2026 begins on October 1, 2025, and ends on Sept. 30, 2026. 

Appropriations

Congress passes appropriations legislation to fund the government for every fiscal year. Appropriations acts are characteristically annual and generally provide funding authority that expires at the end of the federal fiscal year, September 30. 

The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations have jurisdiction over the annual appropriations measures. Each committee is organized into subcommittees, with each subcommittee having responsibility for developing one regular annual appropriations bill to provide funding for departments and activities within its jurisdiction. Each House appropriations subcommittee is paired with a Senate appropriations subcommittee and the two subcommittees’ jurisdictions are generally identical. 

The current appropriations subcommittee structure includes the following 12 subcommittees: 

  1. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  2. Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  3. Defense
  4. Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
  5. Financial Services and General Government
  6. Homeland Security
  7. Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  8. Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
  9. Legislative Branch 
  10. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  11. State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  12. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

These appropriations can be found and tracked at the Congress.gov website.

News & Updates

Federal Budget 2026 

The Budget and Economic Outlook 2025 to 2035 from the Congressional Budget Office

White House Office of Management & Budget

  1. Department of Homeland Security Funding Shut Down

    Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13, leading to a partial government shutdown. Read on...

  2. League Signs on to NLC Surface Transportation Letter

    The League recently signed on to a letter with other state municipal leagues and local government organizations advocating positions beneficial to local governments in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation. League Signs on to NLC Surface Transportation Lett

  3. House Passes Housing for the 21st Century Act

    This week, the House of Representatives passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act by a vote of 390-9. It awaits consideration in the U.S. Senate. House Passes Housing for the 21st Century Act

  4. Short Partial Federal Government Shutdown Ends

    On Tuesday, the House passed all but the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bills through the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires next Friday, February 13. Short Partial Federal Government Shutdown Ends

  5. Federal Budget Deadline Approaching

    The federal budget expires on January 31. The House passed Appropriations bills for the Departments of Defense, Education, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. The Senate has yet to act. Federal Budget Deadline Approaching
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