The White House’s Enforcer: The Office of Management & Budget
From: Center Forward
Overview
The U.S. federal government consists of over 450 different agencies — in total, employing 4.4 million people and spending over $6 trillion per year. While the Constitution authorizes the President to lead the Executive Branch, the sheer size of this task requires him to delegate his oversight authority. The White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) sits atop a complex bureaucracy, overseeing all federal government operations and implementing the President’s agenda government-wide. From monitoring day-to-day agency activities to crafting the President’s budget proposals, OMB operates as the ultimate enforcer of the White House’s priorities and vision.
What is OMB?
Established in 1921, OMB’s predecessor — called the U.S. Bureau of the Budget — allowed Presidents to oversee the complex Agency budgeting process. Brought under direct White House administration in 1939, the Bureau was significantly expanded and reformed in 1970. In an independent action, President Nixon replaced the old Bureau with the OMB, promoting stability and expertise in the management of federal programs while at the same time improving the White House’s capacity to centralize Executive Branch decision making. As government activities have expanded over the past four decades, each Administration has reshaped OMB to ensure government actions and messages remain in alignment with the President.
What does OMB do?
OMB shapes every significant legislative and regulatory discussion in Washington. The organization’s work begins with the President’s budget proposal to Congress. OMB takes federal agency input and finalizes a comprehensive proposal that makes specific spending and policy recommendations for programs across the government. OMB also reviews and analyzes Congressional actions, making recommendations on every bill passed by Congress, and drafting Statements of Administrative Policy (SAPs) which communicate the White House’s opinion on pending legislation. OMB professionals also make policy, identifying novel policy options to Administration staff and adjusting major regulatory actions proposed by federal agencies. OMB also reviews Executive Branch officials’ testimony, speeches, and other statements to ensure formal statements line up with the Administration’s priorities.
What role does OMB have in solving our big issues?
OMB collects information from across the Executive Branch, and coordinates the policy proposals that often guide negotiations with Congress on budget issues, as well as hot button policy issues like immigration and health care. OMB will have a crucial role in outlining the White House’s priorities, and working with Administration officials to argue the President’s position and help develop solutions both sides can support.
Key Facts
Links to Other Resources
- Office of Management & Budget (OMB) – Mission & Structure
- Office of Management & Budget (OMB) – Official Blog
- Congressional Research Service – OMB: A Brief Overview
- American Political Institutions & Public Policy – “Inside OMB: Politics & Process in the President’s Budget Office”, by Shelly Lynne Tomkin
- American Presidency Project — President Nixon Message Proposing Reorganization of Executive Branch