Advocacy Glossary
Budget reconciliation
What does budget reconciliation mean?
Budget reconciliation is a fast track process that lets Congress pass certain tax, spending, and debt limit changes with a simple majority in the Senate, avoiding the filibuster.
Why it matters for advocates
It starts with a budget resolution that tells committees to change the law by certain dollar amounts. The bill that follows gets limited debate in the Senate, so 51 votes are enough.
There is a catch called the Byrd rule. Anything in the bill that does not mainly change federal spending or revenue can be thrown out. That is why big party line bills are often shaped around what reconciliation allows.
Related terms
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