Reading
Given the depth and scope of the topics covered in this course, we have included additional reading material to gain further insights and understanding of the Federal Budget, Accountability and Oversight, and the Federal Debt. The below list includes the recommended reading material, what session(s) it applies, and a brief description of its relevance.
- Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (www.crfb.org): Sessions 1 through 4 and Session 6. The CFRB is an excellent resources for information on the Federal Budget, current issues, estimates of the impact of various budget actions and legislation, and the Budget test!
- Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform (budgetreform.org): Session 6 as the Budget Reform recommendations generally apply to ways to improve Budget accountability and the related spending. However, again, another good resources to understand the How and What of Federal budgeting (Sessions 2 and 3).
- White House, President's Budget (www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget): Sessions 1 through 3. This is the official site for the Office of Management and Budget, the top Executive Branch Budget office. Important source to understand the process and influencers on the Federal Budget, and the role the White House plays in the overall Federal budgeting process including execution of funds provided to all Federal Departments, Agencies, Commissions, and other entities.
- Congressional Research Service's "Introduction to the Federal Budget Process" (fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/98-721.pdf): Sessions 1 through 3, as provides a detailed discussion about the entire Federal Budget process.
- Role of the Government Accountability (https://www.gao.gov/about/#:~:text=Often%20called%20the%20%22congressional%20watchdog,money%20and%20work%20more%20efficiently): Sessions 4 & 5, as GAO is a key oversight, evaluation, and investigative organization overall all Federal programs including the proper use of funds and meeting mission and performance requirements.
- Government Performance and Results Act (https://www.performance.gov/about/framework_about.html): Sessions 3 through 5, as the GPRA is the law that requires Federal agencies to establish, define, track and report on performance measures and expected outcomes related to existing (and proposed) programs and activities, and how available funding relates.
- Debt Clock (https://zfacts.com/national-debt-clock/blue/): Session 6 to keep track of how quickly and how much the current Debt changes based on existing and future budget decisions.