Budgetary Resources

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The term “budgetary resources” is a term indicating authority has been provided by Congress to a governmental entity to make legal obligations. It is defined in law by section 250(c)(6) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

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Section 250(c)(6) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985

Budgetary Resources

Paragraph (6) of section 250(c)(6) (BBEDCA) reads as follows: 

(6) The term “budgetary resources” means new budget authority, unobligated balances, direct spending authority, and obligation limitations.

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CBO Glossary of Budgetary and Economic Terms (July 2016)

Budgetary Resources (CBO)

budgetary resources: An amount available to federal agencies that permits them to enter into new obligations and to liquidate them, including new budget authority, direct spending authority, unobligated balances of budget authority provided in previous years, and obligation limitations. See budget authority.

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GAO Glossary of Terms and Definitions (September 2005)

Budgetary Resources (GAO)

An amount available to enter into new obligations and to liquidate them. Budgetary resources are made up of new budget authority (including direct spending authority provided in existing statute and obligation limitations) and unobligated balances of budget authority provided in previous years. (See also Budget Authority.)

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