Welcome to the Substack!

Your enlightenment on the federal budget process awaits.

Among those in the know, “the federal budget process is broken” is virtually a cliché at this point. It is unfortunate that this has become true, but not without good reason. Next year, we will hit the 50th anniversary of the Congressional Budget Impoundment and Control Act, usually known as the Congressional Budget Act. This piece of legislation set up the framework for our current budget process. From the outset, dysfunction has plagued our federal budgeting most years. Despite several amendments and add-on legislation addressing its issues, the process has only gotten worse. BP50’s inaugural post by Leo Plumer gives an overview of this dysfunction and its history.

We at the Mercatus Center believe that 5 decades of this is enough. Although much ink has been spilled over the years diagnosing problems and offering solutions, these ideas have been spread around the policy ecosystem, and concerted efforts to bring the conversation to the fore have often fizzled out.

The Budget Process at 50 is part of our answer to this problem. This Substack acts as a platform for and aggregator of budget information, analysis and commentary from experts across the spectrum. We intend it as a one-stop destination for anyone seeking cogent and innovative ideas on US federal budgeting, as well as serving to cross-pollenate thinking around policy circles.

We hope that this platform can grow to make a dent in the conversation on the Hill, and are excited to have you here. Welcome.

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