Reconciliation

Definition

Reconciliation is a legislative process in the United States Congress that allows certain budgetary legislation to be passed with a simple majority vote in the Senate, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster. This process is used to enact spending, revenue, and debt limit legislation that is aligned with the federal government's budget resolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reconciliation allows Congress to bypass the filibuster and pass certain budget-related legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate.
2. The reconciliation process is initiated by the adoption of a budget resolution, which sets the parameters for the reconciliation bill.
3. Reconciliation bills are limited to provisions that directly impact federal spending, revenue, or the debt limit, as defined by the Congressional Budget Act.
4. The Senate parliamentarian plays a crucial role in determining which provisions are eligible for inclusion in a reconciliation bill.
5. Reconciliation has been used to enact major legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose of the reconciliation process in the legislative process.
  • The reconciliation process is designed to allow Congress to make changes to federal spending, revenue, and debt limit laws with a simple majority vote in the Senate, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster. This process is used to align legislation with the federal government's budget priorities and spending limits, as outlined in the budget resolution. By bypassing the filibuster, reconciliation enables Congress to enact certain budgetary legislation more efficiently.
• Describe the role of the budget resolution in the reconciliation process.
  • The budget resolution is a critical component of the reconciliation process. It is a concurrent resolution passed by both chambers of Congress that establishes the federal government's budget priorities and spending limits for the upcoming fiscal year. The adoption of a budget resolution initiates the reconciliation process, as it sets the parameters for the reconciliation bill, including the specific areas of federal spending, revenue, and debt limit that can be targeted for changes.
• Analyze the significance of the Senate parliamentarian's role in the reconciliation process.
  • The Senate parliamentarian plays a crucial role in determining which provisions are eligible for inclusion in a reconciliation bill. The parliamentarian is responsible for interpreting the Congressional Budget Act and ensuring that the reconciliation bill adheres to the strict rules and limitations of the process. Their rulings on the 'Byrd rule,' which prohibits the inclusion of provisions that are deemed extraneous to the budget, can significantly impact the final content and scope of the reconciliation legislation. The parliamentarian's decisions can therefore have a substantial influence on the outcomes of the reconciliation process.

Related terms

Budget Resolution: A concurrent resolution passed by both chambers of Congress that establishes the federal government's budget priorities and spending limits for the upcoming fiscal year.

Filibuster:

A parliamentary procedure where a senator or group of senators prolong debate on a bill to delay or prevent a vote from taking place, typically requiring a 60-vote majority to overcome.

Budget Reconciliation Act: Legislation passed through the reconciliation process that makes changes to federal spending, revenue, and debt limit laws to align with the budget resolution.