Sequestration

Sequestration refers to automatic spending cuts that occur through the withdrawal of funding for certain (but not all) government programs. CBO provides estimates of the statutory caps on discretionary funding and an assessment of whether sequestration might be necessary under current budgetary rules, but the Administration's Office of Management and Budget makes the ultimate determination of whether a sequestration is necessary and, if so, how big it should be.

  • Report

    CBO provides an update to an earlier estimate of the effects of a potential sequestration under the caps established by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

  • Report

    CBO provides information concerning implementation of the caps on most discretionary funding for fiscal year 2024 as established by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

  • Report

    In a report required by law, CBO provides information on the limits that apply to discretionary budget authority in 2024. Because no statutory caps are in place for fiscal year 2023, there will be no sequestration for the current fiscal year.

  • Blog Post

    As required by law, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary funding. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2021.

  • Report

    As required by law, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary funding. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2021.

  • Report

    In a report required by law, CBO provides estimates of the caps on discretionary funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. CBO concludes that the discretionary appropriations provided to date for 2020 do not exceed the caps for this year.

  • Report

    As required, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary funding. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2020.

  • Report

    In a report required by law, CBO provides estimates of the caps on discretionary funding for each fiscal year through 2021. CBO concludes that the discretionary appropriations provided to date for 2019 do not exceed the caps for this year.

  • Report

    As required, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary funding. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2019.