GAO Glossary of Terms and Definitions (September 2005)

Concurrent Resolution on the Budget

A concurrent resolution adopted by both houses of Congress as part of the annual budget and appropriations process, setting forth an overall budget plan for Congress against which individual appropriations bills, other appropriations, and revenue measures are to be evaluated. As a plan for Congress, the resolution is not presented to the President for signature and does not have the force of law. Pursuant to section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act, as amended (2 U.S.C. § 632), the resolution is expected to establish, for at least 5 fiscal years beginning on October 1 of the year of the resolution, appropriate levels for the following:

• totals of new budget authority and outlays,
• total federal revenues,
• the surplus or deficit in the budget,
• new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category,
• the public debt, and
• outlays and revenues for Social Security insurance programs.

The concurrent resolution generally contains budget levels for the 5 fiscal years and may contain reconciliation instructions to specified committees. The concurrent resolution most recently adopted may be revised or affirmed before the end of the year to which it applies, as provided in section 304 of the Congressional Budget Act, as amended (2 U.S.C. § 635). (See also Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.)

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