RE: My political leanings, 2026
(Edited)
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If I remember correctly Republican Administrations have increased government spending and increased the deficit every time for at least the last 30-40 years.
Edit : This was the graph I was thinking of...
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The president is really the wrong person to look at when it comes to the budget as that is ultimately the responsibility of the Legislative Branch (i.e. Congress). While Clinton is often credited for having the only budget surplus in recent history (and it wasn't really a surplus...if you look at the Treasury web page debt increased under Clinton every year too...just less than most) it was the Republican legislature that had the ultimate power as far as the budget was concerned.
Does it not ultimately get signed off by the President? Meaning they can send it back or refuse to sign it if they don't like it?
Also, just looking at this, it looks like the President sets the initial budget proposal before Congress work out the detail. So I think the responsibility and accountability for government spending does lie with the US President.
Not accordimg to the Constitution. It is true that the budget typically starts as a proposal from the Executive branch but Congress has no obligation to base the budget on that proposal. The "power of the purse" is granted to Congress by the Constitution and they bear primary responsibility for it.
The president could veto it. However, with sufficient votes, congress can override the veto.
Two/Thirds of the vote in both the House and Senate yeah? It's so hard to imagine that happening in this modern obstructionist era.
But the result of a presidential veto wouldn't be more money spent, it would be none. So the president essentually has the choice of accepting what congress passes or shutting down government. The president can"t pass his own budget with a veto, only potentially prevent one from being passed. (Unless overidden with that 2/3 majority).