Which of the following is true of the federal budget process in the United States?
A) Congress must approve a budget with at least a two-thirds majority vote.
B) The federal budget must be balanced each year because the volume of international trade reduces if the government has a surplus or a deficit.
C) Most federal outlays are determined by existing laws.
D) Congress approves a budget that separates the capital budget from the operating budget.
E) Detailed budgeting allows the party in power to reward its supporters.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most federal outlays are determined by existing laws, such as entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are automatically funded unless changed by Congress. This means that the federal budget process is heavily influenced by past decisions and commitments, making it difficult to make significant changes to spending priorities without changing the laws themselves. The other options are incorrect; A is not true as a simple majority vote is required to pass a budget, B is not true as the government does not have to balance the budget each year, D is not true as the capital and operating budgets are typically not separated, and E is not true as detailed budgeting is meant to ensure transparency and accountability, not to reward supporters.

Which of the Following Is True of the Federal Budget