#52: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #52: What is sequestration?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Congressional Process and Powers
Q&A #52: What is sequestration?
Sequestration is an across-the-board cut in Federal spending pursuant to a Presidential order. A sequestration order can only be issued if Congress fails to meet a budgetary requirement, such as a deficit target or a spending limit.
Sequestration was first established in 1985 by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Reduction Act, also known as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act. You can read the Act below.
My Thoughts
The Congressional Budget Office provides a wealth of information about sequestration on its website here. The page includes the following quick summary:
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.
As a government employee, my husband (hence our family) has ridden the sequestration wave many times and its no fun. If you’re on the government’s dime, then you know exactly what I’m talking about!
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Back next time with Q&A #53: What are the powers of Congress as provided in the Constitution?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
February 21, 2025