[19991005]RS20350_Off-Budget Status of Federal Entities Background and Current Proposals.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20350October 5, 1999Off-Budget Status of Federal Entities:Background and Current Proposals(name redacted)Analyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryDuring the 106th Congress, several proposals have been introduced to provide off-budget status to certain trust funds and other special funds, in which revenues arecollected for specified purposes. These proposals would prohibit the receipts anddisbursements of the funds from being counted as new budget authority, outlays,receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the Presidents budget, the congressionalbudget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.Proponents argue that taking a fund off budget provides an assurance that the federalgovernment is fulfilling its contract with taxpayers by ensuring the collected receipts willbe used for the dedicated purpose rather than for general government activities.Opponents argue that removing a fund from the unified budget would free itstransactions from statutory and congressional budget enforcement procedures, thereb