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As a federal agency that administers discretionary programs, IMLS
is funded through the annual federal appropriations process.
This begins by working with the White House Office of
Management and Budget each fall to determine an appropriate
budget request for the next fiscal year (October 1 - September
30). For example, in the fall of 2006, this process began
for the budget request for Fiscal Year 2008, which begins
on October 1, 2007.
In early February the President issues his
request—for IMLS and all federal agencies that use
discretionary funds—to Congress. Using this request
as a guideline, Congress then works to pass appropriations
bill that the President will sign into law. There are
several stages to this process, including passage of a
budget resolution, drafting of the specific appropriations
bills, voting on proposed amendments to the bills, and
conferences to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions of the bills. Often Congress is unable to finish
its appropriations work before the next fiscal year begins
in October. When that happens, the legislature usually
passes continuing resolutions, which maintain spending
at current levels until new appropriations are made. Sometimes
several appropriations bills are rolled into one “omnibus”
bill.
Throughout this process, IMLS works with the congressional appropriations committees and others to increase understanding of the agency’s programs
and financial needs. Sometimes the appropriations subcommittees with responsibility for drafting the bill that includes IMLS spending — Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies — will hold a hearing at which the Director of IMLS testifies in support of the President’s
request.
When both the House and Senate have voted
to pass identical versions of an appropriations bill,
the bill is sent to the President and becomes law when
he signs it. As with all bills, the President has the
option to veto. But unlike other bills, appropriations
measures must eventually be enacted—or continuing
resolutions must be passed—in order for the government’s
discretionary programs to continue. Appropriations laws
also differ from most other laws in that they are in effect
only until the end of the fiscal year.
Budget Links
• 2009
Congressional Justification (PDF, 842KB)
• IMLS
Appropriations History 1998-2009 (PDF, 20KB)
• IMLS
Requested and Enacted Budgets 2006-2009 (PDF, 21KB)
• Press Release - February 4,
2008:
President's
Budget Requests $271,246,000 for Institute of Museum and
Library Services
• 2007
Performance and Accountability Report (PDF, 1.6MB)
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