House Resolutions - 108th Congress

H. Con. Res. 95—Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2004

On April 11, 2003, the House and Senate passed the conference report establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for FYs 2003 and 2005 through 2013. The measure was agreed to in the House by a vote of 216 to 211, and in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. Discretionary spending, which includes NIH, is consistent with the President's request. This is an $18.7 billion, or 2.4-percent increase, over FY 2003. The conferees dropped the 1 percent across-the-board-cut in discretionary and mandatory programs passed by the House. However, the conferees included a requirement for the House and Senate authorizing committees to submit findings to the Budget Committees identifying instances of "waste, fraud and abuse" in programs within their jurisdictions no later than September 2, 2003. As approved by the House and the Senate, the budget resolution is not signed by the President and does not become law. Together with points of order that help enforce its provisions, it serves as a House-Senate agreement on the overall shape of the budget.

H. Con. Res. 95 was introduced on March 17, 2003, by Representative Jim Nussle (R-IA), Chairman, House Committee on the Budget. The version passed by the House on March 21 had three priorities: protecting America, strengthening the economy and creating jobs, and exercising fiscal responsibility.