As the 2026 fiscal deadlines approach, Congress frequently relies on "Continuing Resolutions" (temporary funding laws) and "Omnibus" packages (large bills combining multiple spending measures). While these are frequent features of recent budget cycles, they differ from the step-by-step process of passing separate spending bills, often called "Regular Order."

The 105th Congress in 1997 is often cited as the last to complete all 12 individual appropriations bills before the fiscal year began on October 1. Operating under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, a divided government coordinated to align agency operations with deficit reduction goals. At that time, Congress adopted a concurrent budget resolution—a high-level plan to guide spending—by the April 15 deadline, allowing for a sequenced legislative calendar

Following the 1997 cycle, the process of passing 12 separate bills became less consistent. Key drivers of this procedural evolution include:

While not appropriations bills, measures like H.R. 7296 and S. 1726 illustrate how individual legislation can influence broader fiscal negotiations. The 1997 precedent suggests that the appropriations process can function with more structured sequencing, but current models rely more on centralized negotiations to manage modern political pressures. Supporters of consolidated bills argue they allow Congress to meet essential deadlines in a complex or polarized environment.

Historical Law/Event: Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33)

Year:1997

Congress:105th Congress

Current Parallel: 2026 Appropriations Cycle / Continuing Resolutions

Official Source: GovInfo.gov - 105th Congress Public Laws

The 1997 model serves as a baseline for how a sequenced appropriations process operates. Whether the current system returns to that model or continues with consolidated negotiations depends on the procedural precedents set in committee over the next 60 days.