[20040123]97-930_1997年预算执行法：情况说明书.pdf

1 For a more detailed discussion of the BEA of 1997, see Budget Enforcement Act of 1997:Summary and Legislative History, by Robert Keith, CRS Report 97-931 GOV.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 97-930 GOVUpdated January 23, 2004The Budget Enforcement Act of 1997:A Fact SheetRobert KeithSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment DivisionSummaryPresident Clinton signed two reconciliation acts into law in August 1997 as part ofa plan to balance the budget by FY2002. To ensure compliance with this goal,enforcement procedures were included in one of the acts in a title referred to separatelyas the Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) of 1997. The BEA of 1997 extended proceduresunder the Budget Enforcement Act (BEA) of 1990 through FY2002, when they wereallowed to expire.1 Although the federal budget was in surplus for FY1998-2001, a$158 billion deficit was recorded for FY2002.BackgroundThe BEA of 1990 established discretionary spending limits and a pay-as-you-go(PAYGO) requirement as an amendment to the Balanced Budget and Emergency DeficitControl Act of 1985. The two mechanisms relied upon sequestration