Congress.gov committee schedule
Ask students to choose one hearing title and predict what evidence, witnesses, or constitutional powers might be involved.
Learn
Understanding the Budget Process in Congress
← Back to How government works topics← Back to LearnA civics adventure written for readers of all ages.
Educator view
Purpose: Understanding the Budget Process in Congress helps learners understand The budget process in Congress is how lawmakers plan and approve government spending and revenue for the upcoming year.
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Best for: discussion starter, civics supplement, advisory, homeschool
1 Read the hook2 Discuss the questions3 Do the activity and close with the assessment check
Opening question
Ever wonder how the government decides where to spend money each year? The budget process in Congress shapes many parts of daily life.
Teacher brief
The budget process in Congress is how lawmakers plan and approve government spending and revenue for the upcoming year. It involves proposals, reviews, and agreements to allocate funds to different programs and services.
Background for discussion
Each year, the budget process begins with the President submitting a budget proposal to Congress. Congress then reviews this proposal through committees, primarily the House and Senate Budget Committees. They create budget resolutions that set spending limits but do not allocate funds directly. Appropriations committees follow by deciding the exact amounts for various government departments and programs. Both chambers must agree on the final budget, which is then sent to the President for approval. This process ensures that government spending aligns with priorities and available resources, impacting everything from education and defense to infrastructure and social services.
Example for discussion
For example, if Congress decides to increase funding for public schools, the appropriations committees will allocate more money to education programs in the budget. This decision affects how many teachers can be hired or what resources schools receive.
Discussion prompts
Invite students to answer aloud or in writing.
- Why do you think it is important for Congress to control government spending?
- How might disagreements in Congress affect the budget process?
- What are some challenges in balancing government spending and revenue?
Quick activity
Suggested format: pairs or small groups.
Imagine you are a member of Congress responsible for deciding the budget for three areas: healthcare, education, and transportation. You have 100 points to distribute among these areas based on what you think is most important. How would you allocate your points and why? Discuss your choices with a partner or write down your reasoning.
Exit ticket
Use this as a quick written response or discussion close.
What is one step in the budget process in Congress and why is it important?
Story connection
Story connection
Imagine traveling through time to witness how different governments in history managed their resources and budgets. You see how decisions about money shaped the lives of people and the future of nations. Now, you return to understand how today’s budget process in Congress continues this important tradition.
Keep exploring this idea
Watch what is happening, then teach it tomorrow
Court Watch
Blog and explainers
Eight Solutions and One Big Idea: How Separation of Powers Shows Up in Everyday Life
A Brennan Center for Justice page titled “Eight Solutions to Unstick Congress” points to a familiar civic problem: when Congress feels stuck, people look elsewhere for action. That pressure tests separation of powers, not just in Washington
Family Constitution Night and the Small Power We Practice at Home
A living room can become a tiny civic chamber when a family tries to write down how power will work between siblings, parents, and the everyday pressures that push everyone off balance.
Media Literacy Starts at the Kitchen Table
Helping kids spot bias is not about turning them into miniature pundits. It is about giving them a steadier relationship to authority, evidence, and the quiet power of attention.
Continue the lesson with The Constitution Kids
Teach the concept, then continue with the story
Use this topic as a classroom explainer or warm-up, then pair it with The Constitution Kids as supplemental reading, a discussion text, or a civic book club selection.
Classroom share
Share this lesson with clean tracking
Give students the lesson link, email it to a group, or project a QR code. The visit labels help show which topics teachers are actually using.
UTM
campaign: classroom-civics
Run this lesson
Print or customize, then guide the group through the prompts.
The Constitution Kids learning library
www.constitutionkids.com