Federal Budget Process Quiz

What is the main focus of the U.S. federal budget process?

• A. Prioritizing peace, economic security, and shared prosperity

• B. Prioritizing military spending and international aid

• D. Prioritizing corporate subsidies and bailouts

• C. Prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy

Which part of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to spend money?

• A. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1

• B. Article 2, Section 4, Clause 2

• C. Article 3, Section 1, Clause 1

• D. Article 4, Section 2, Clause 1

What are the two major kinds of spending that make up the federal budget?

• B. Military and healthcare spending

• D. Infrastructure and environmental spending

• A. Mandatory and discretionary spending

• C. Social security and education spending

Which type of spending depends on how many people qualify for benefits?

• C. Military spending

• A. Mandatory spending

• B. Discretionary spending

• D. Infrastructure spending

What is the biggest example of discretionary spending in the federal budget?

• A. Military budget

• B. Public education

• C. Healthcare

• D. Social security benefits

What is the fiscal year for the U.S. federal budget?

• C. April 1 to March 31

• B. January 1 to December 31

• A. October 1 to September 30

• D. July 1 to June 30

What is the first step in the annual budget process according to federal law?

• A. President submits a budget request to Congress

• D. President signs each appropriations bill

• B. House and Senate pass budget resolutions

• C. House and Senate create appropriation bills

What happens if Congress does not pass appropriations or a continuing resolution by October 1?

• D. Emergency supplemental appropriations

• C. Temporary funding extension

• B. Automatic budget approval

• A. Government shutdown

What type of funding is allocated through legislation for emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic?

• C. Discretionary spending

• B. Mandatory spending

• D. Interest on the national debt

• A. Supplemental appropriations

What is a common outcome when the House and Senate put all federal discretionary spending into one big appropriations bill?

• D. Increased public participation in the budget process

• A. Rushed passage of a bill too big and complicated

• B. Smooth and efficient budget approval

• C. Bipartisan consensus on spending priorities