2026/05/10 by Carolyn Bourdeaux, G. William Hoagland, Philip G. Joyce +2 · 1 voice
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Mathematics · Social Sciences · #Education, Psychology, and Complexity Research #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Fiscal Policies and Political Economy
paper · doi:10.1111/puar.70137
openalex publication_date 2026/05/10 · openalex created_date 2026/05/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
ABSTRACT The federal government, and its budget process, are facing unprecedented challenges. The federal debt is at historic levels, the process is in disarray, and the constitutional balance of powers is being challenged as never before. The debt, driven by growth in entitlement spending, stands at 38 trillion and is projected to continue to grow if no changes are made. The appropriation process has completely broken down. Thirty years have passed since all appropriations bills were signed into law prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, and the government has just endured the longest government shutdown in history. At the same time, the Trump administration has challenged both the laws and norms that have governed relationships between the executive and legislative branches. While many of the problems facing the process are political, there are procedural changes that would assist in achieving a return to both fiscal and constitutional equilibrium.