Budget Resolution
Each year the House and the Senate must agree on a budget resolution which
provides the blueprint for budget activities in the coming fiscal year and
at least 5 outyears. The budget resolution includes spending levels for
discretionary spending, projections about the federal deficit and instructions
for bringing about changes in entitlement programs and tax policy. The budget
resolution does not require Presidential signature, but is supposed to be
agreed to by the House and Senate before the annual Appropriations process
gets underway.