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
Sequestration Update for August 2021
August 12, 2021
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
Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2021
January 13, 2021
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
Sequestration Update Report: August 2020
August 13, 2020
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
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.