[20010305]98-410GOV_基本联邦预算术语.pdf

Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-410 GOVUpdated March 5, 2001Basic Federal Budgeting TerminologyBill Heniff Jr.Consultant in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionIn its most elemental form, the federal budget is a comprehensive accounting of thegovernments spending, revenues, and borrowing. This fact sheet provides a briefoverview of the basic terminology and concepts used in the federal budget process.SpendingThe key terms of federal spending are budget authority, obligations, outlays, andspendout rate. Congress and the President enact budget authority in law. Budgetauthority allows federal agencies to incur obligations, such as entering into contracts,employing personnel, and submitting purchase orders. Outlays represent the actualpayment of these obligations, usually in the form of electronic transfers or checks issuedby the Treasury Department. The rate at which budget authority becomes outlays in afiscal year is called the spendout rate, or the outlay rate. The spendout rate varies amongagencies accounts depending on the timing of activity in each account.Budget author