Important Dates in Annual Federal Budget Cycle
February (First Monday)
The President’s budget request is due to Congress.
April 15
Congress must set its spending priorities by this date.
May 15
Using the budget the President submits on the first Monday in February, subcommittees draft appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year by this date.
May to September
Debate usually continues for several months. The President must sign all 13 appropriations bills by October 1 to keep the federal government operating, so Congress must agree on and provide the President with appropriations decisions before October 1.
October 1
The new fiscal year begins. The President must sign all 13 appropriations bills by this date.
During the same time in which Congress debates appropriation measures for the upcoming fiscal year, the federal agencies begin work on the budget request for the following fiscal year. This work on the Federal budget begins in late April to early May with final decisions made in early January so that the President can submit a budget request by the first Monday of February.