FY 2009 U.S. federal budget

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Summary

On February 4, 2008, President George W. Bush submitted (as is customary for a president to do so) a budget request to the U.S. Congress for fiscal year (FY) 2009. It would amount to $3.1 trillion in federal spending, and trim spending on several domestic programs while eliminating others. In addition, his proposal would make permanent the tax cuts passed during his first term and increase defense spending by 5 percent.

Background

Funding for the government is provided by Congress under Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Constitution. This is the "purse strings power" and there are no exceptions to it. Absent appropriations made by law, no operations by the government may take place: government employees may not work without pay and those who would contract with the government may not "volunteer" their goods or services.

Funding for government employees salaries and wages(including the President) is provided in "one year" funds which expire at the end of a fiscal year. While Congress may pass "continuing resolutions" providing some interim funding where appropriations are not timely enacted, in the absence of such continuing resolutions no government employee may work.

Current status

FY 2009 Appropriations Bills

Appropriations	House Approvals			Senate Approvals			Conference Approvals			Public Law
	Committee Report	Comm. Vote	House Vote	Committee Report	Comm. Vote	Senate Vote	Conf. Report	House Vote	Senate Vote
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (Continuing Resolution through 3/6/09) H.R. 2638
Budget Resolution HConRes312 SConRes70	H.Rept. 110-543	3/06/08	3/13/08 Vote Summary	S.Cmte.Print 110-39	3/06/08	3/14/08 Vote Details	H.Rept. 110-659	6/05/08 Vote Details	6/04/08 Vote Details	President does not sign
Agriculture S3289				S.Rept. 110-426	7/18/08
Commerce/ Justice/ Science S3182	H.Rept. 110-240	6/25/08		S.Rept. 110-397	6/19/08
Defense
Energy & Water S3258		6/25/08		S.Rept. 110-416	7/10/08
Financial Services S3260		6/25/08		S.Rept. 110-417	7/10/08
Homeland Security S3181		6/24/08		S.Rept. 110-396	6/19/08
Interior & Environment
Labor/ HHS/ Education S3230				S.Rept. 110-410	6/26/08
Legislative Branch
Military/Veterans H6599 S3301	H.Rept. 110-775	6/24/08	8/1/08 Rule 1384	S.Rept. 110-428	7/17/08
State/Foreign Operations S3288				S.Rept.110-425	7/18/08
Transportation/HUD S3261				S.Rept. 110-418	7/10/08