Biophysical Society Bulletin | October 2021

Public Affairs

HowDoes Congress Decide on the Annual Spending of Our Tax Dollars?

consideration. However, before this process can begin, Con- gress must have authorizing legislation in place. Authorizing legislation confirms the existence and roles of the agencies of the government and sets out the general range of sums that can be allocated in the coming year. These bills often cover years at a time, and do not need to pass annually. The Congressional Budget Resolution is a critically important document as it sets the total level of discretionary funding for the next fiscal year; this is known as the 302(A) allocation. This legislation is prepared by the Budget Committees of the House and Senate and outlines spending levels among the twelve Appropriations Subcommittees, known as 302(B) allocations. Final Appropriations bills are supposed to be complete by June 30; however, if this process has not been completed by October 1, the end of the prior budget year, Congress can pass a Continuing Resolution that continues the levels of spending of the prior budget year. What Factors Control Overall Budget Allocations? The division of the budget follows the influence of major economic and social constituencies in US society. The Na- tional Association of Homebuilders presses for more housing spending; the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association generally supports NIH budgets, but opposes increases in regulations and cost controls on medical care; the broad width of industry, professional societies, and interest groups are all represented in some form or fashion in an effort to influence policy or appropriations. The Biophysical Society (BPS) works together in coalitions with a number of biomedical research groups, professional medical societies, and patient advocacy groups. Among the most important of these are the Ad Hoc Coalition for Medical Research, the Coalition for Health Funding, the Coalition for National Science Funding, and the Energy Sciences Coalition. In the coming months, the Public Affairs Committee will report to you on our relations with other allied groups in more detail, as well as on our plans to increase the scope and effectiveness of our basic and biomedical research advocacy efforts. To get involved in BPS advocacy, please visit

In the United States, the clearest and deepest expressions of our national priorities are the annual budgets voted on by our Senators and Representatives. However, the budget process is generally much less well understood than the passing of legislation. Before the coronavirus outbreak, Congress had allotted about $42 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 4% of the total Congressional discre- tionary budget, compared with, for example, the $738 billion authorized for the Department of Defense, which amounts to more than 50% of the entire Congressional discretionary budget. That NIH budget was clearly unprepared to deal with a global pandemic. Let’s review first the standard Congressional budget pro- cess and the important distinction between mandatory and discretionary spending—which Congress appropriates each year. In the overall budget, the majority of spending goes to the major mandatory programs, most notably Social Security and Medicare. These are, in effect, trust funds—meaning the funds cannot be used for any other federal expenses. The budget category most relevant to the scientific community is the non-defense discretionary (NDD) budget, which excludes the mandatory programs and debt payments but includes all other expenditures. The Annual Budget Process The federal budget year, or fiscal year, begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The budget allocation process begins with the president introducing his budget proposals. While these proposals have no legal standing, they may influ- ence the Congressional debate. The majority party in the House and Senate then brings forth their budget proposals—known as a budget resolution—for

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