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.

  • Blog Post
    CBO to Delay Release of Sequestration Report

    For this report to be complete and as useful to the Congress as possible, the House and Senate Budget Committees have asked CBO to delay publishing it until it can fully reflect the funding provided in all 12 annual appropriation bills.

  • Report
    Sequestration Update Report: August 2018

    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 2018 do not exceed the caps for this year.

  • Report
    Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2018

    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 2018.

  • Report
    Sequestration Update Report: August 2017

    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 2017 do not exceed the caps for this year.

  • Report
    Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2017

    As required, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary spending. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2017.

  • Report
    Sequestration Update Report: August 2016

    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 2016 do not exceed the caps for this year.

  • Report
    Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2016

    CBO is required to report its assessment of whether enacted appropriations for the current fiscal year exceed caps on discretionary spending. In CBO's estimation, they do not, and hence a sequestration will not be required for 2016.