Budget, Appropriations, and Taxation

Co-Chairs: Bobby Scott, Charles Rangel
Members: Sanford Bishop, Barbara Lee, Gwen Moore, Keith Ellison, Donna Edwards, Terri Sewell

The Budget, Appropriations, and Taxation Taskforce is co-chaired by Bobby Scott and Charles Rangel. The House Committees of jurisdiction for the Taskforce are the Committees on the Budget, Appropriations, and Ways and Means.

One of the greatest powers of Congress is the “power of the purse,” being in direct control of federal monies. The federal budget is where both Congress and the President articulate policy goals within budgetary priorities for the fiscal year. Spending ceilings are set in every function area from education to healthcare to defense. The budget itself is the most important policy document as it sets spending limits on programs that directly impact legislation. Appropriations are the monetary allocations for the federal government and its programs. In Congress, the Committee on Appropriations “appropriates” federal funds and determines whether the authorized level of funding is acceptable. Finally through taxation, revenue is generated to pay for the items in the federal budget and provide appropriated dollars to federal programs.

The CBC’s Budget, Appropriations, and Taxation Taskforce examine these important issues and annually, author the CBC’s alternative federal budget. Furthermore, CBC Members who serve on the influential Committee on Appropriations work diligently to influence equity in appropriations funding targeted to underserved communities. Through tax policy, the CBC has and continues to fight for the creation of policy initiatives like empowerment zones and renewal communities to ensure investment in communities that need it most. The applicable portions of the House of Representatives Rule X for this taskforce’s jurisdiction are as follows:

Committee on Appropriations.

(1) Appropriation of the revenue for the support of the Government.

(2) Rescissions of appropriations contained in appropriation Acts.

Committee on the Budget.

(2) Budget process generally.

Committee on Ways and Means.

(2) Reciprocal trade agreements.

(3) Revenue measures generally.

(4) Revenue measures relating to insular possessions.

(5) Bonded debt of the United States, subject to the last sentence of clause 4(f).

(6) Deposit of public monies.

(9) National social security (except health care and facilities programs that are supported from general revenues as opposed to payroll deductions and except work incentive programs)