Constitutional Law Keyed to Stone
Bowsher v. Synar
Facts
Concerned about the size of the federal budget deficit, Congress passed the Act. The Act established maximum allowable deficit amounts (“targets”) for each year beginning in 1986. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was required to estimate the budget deficit for each year. If the deficit was ever estimated to exceed the target, the CBO was to calculate the budget reductions necessary to meet the target. Thereupon, the Comptroller General was obligated to mandate spending reductions giving “due regard” to the CBO’s estimates, but also exercising his own independent judgment. The Comptroller General is removable only at the initiative of Congress.
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