“Omnibus” is a catch-all term for a piece of legislation that contains numerous provisions, relating to many different subjects, and falling under more than one Congressional committee’s jurisdiction.

Our last definition concerned a perennial budget process proposal (biennial budgeting) that has recently regained some popular interest. This week we’re focusing on another: the balanced budget amendment.

Amid its debate of proposals to address the massive budget deficit, the President’s “Fiscal Commission” also has discussed changes to the budget process itself.

As Congressional lawmakers set their sights on fleeing town before the election, they’ll have to decide what to do to keep the government from running out of money. So far Congress has not passed, and the President has not signed, a single fiscal 2011 appropriations bill.

There has been some talk recently of a possible government shutdown if Republicans take over Congress and pass appropriations bills that the President vetoes.

A fiscal year is an accounting year, which is not the same as the calendar year. Most governments and publicly listed corporations keep their books on a fiscal year, rather than a calendar year.

A mark up is a meeting a committee holds in order to review and discuss a piece of legislation. Members of the committee may propose changes to a bill by offering amendments. Each change is voted on individually. Once all of the changes are either incorporated or denied, the bill is voted on by the full committee. If the bill is passed it will go to the full chamber for a vote.

A closer look at the two committees that oversee the federal budget and spending process.

Since a budget resolution does not have the force of law, the reconciliation process was included in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide a means to get mandatory spending (“entitlement” programs) or revenue levels (tax laws) in line with the levels called for in the budget resolution.

The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as the “budget act”) charged Congress with passing an annual budget resolution by April 15.* This year, it did not pass one at all.