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Constitutional Law Keyed to Farber
Bowsher v. Synar
Citation:
478 U.S. 714 (1986)Facts
The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act sought to eliminate the federal budget deficit. To that end, the Act set a maximum deficit amount for federal spending for each of fiscal years 1986 through 1991. If in any fiscal year the federal budget deficit exceeded the maximum deficit amount by more than a specified sum, the Act required across-the-board cuts in federal funding to reach the targeted deficit level. Under the Act, the President was required to issue a sequestration order mandating the spending reductions specified by the Comptroller General. After a certain period, the cuts required by the order would be implemented. Members of Congress, the National Treasury Employees Union brought this suit challenging the Act on separation of powers grounds.
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