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
Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2020
January 13, 2020
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
Sequestration Update Report: August 2019
August 15, 2019
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
Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2019
February 25, 2019
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.
Blog Post
CBO to Delay Release of Sequestration Report
January 11, 2019
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
August 15, 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
April 2, 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
August 11, 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
May 12, 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
August 12, 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
December 28, 2015
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.