H.R. 8569 – No Bias in the Baseline Act

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Updated May 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM UTC

The No Bias in the Baseline Act changes how the federal budget baseline is calculated. It requires the baseline to be a projection based on existing laws and the assumption that current discretionary spending levels will continue, while excluding emergency and supplemental resources. The bill also stops any inflation or other adjustments to the baseline and directs the Congressional Budget Office to include alternative fiscal scenarios in its reports. These changes affect how Congress and federal agencies forecast spending, revenues, and deficits.

Key Provisions

Redefines the baseline as a projection based on current laws and the continuation of current discretionary appropriations, excluding emergency and supplemental appropriations.
Eliminates any inflation or other factor adjustments from baseline calculations.
Updates related statutory language in the Budget Act and Social Security Act to match the new baseline definition.
Requires the CBO to publish alternative fiscal scenarios in its budget reports, prepared with input from the House and Senate Budget Committees.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.

Budget Committee

April 29, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 29, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.

Budget Committee

April 29, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 29, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8569

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 29, 2026

Mr. Cline introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Budget

A BILL

To clarify that the baseline is based on current laws and the assumption of continuation of current levels of discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the No Bias in the Baseline Act.

2.

Modification of baseline calculation

(a)

In general

Section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907) is amended—

(1)

by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

(a)

In general

For any budget year, the baseline refers to a projection, based on current laws and the assumption of continuation of current levels of discretionary appropriations, of current-year levels of new budget authority, outlays, revenues, and the surplus or deficit into the budget year and the outyears based on laws enacted through the applicable date.

;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

Laws providing or creating direct spending and receipts are assumed to operate in the manner specified in those laws for each such year.

;

(B)

by striking paragraph (2); and

(C)

by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in the second sentence of paragraph (1), by striking all that follows after current year, through the period and inserting excluding resources designated as an emergency requirement and any resources provided in supplemental appropriation laws.;

(B)

by striking paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5);

(C)

by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (2); and

(D)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)

No adjustment for inflation

No adjustment shall be made for inflation or for any other factor.

.

(b)

Conforming amendments

(1)

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

Section 202(e)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 602(e)(1)) is amended—

(A)

by inserting and before (B) the levels; and

(B)

by striking , and (C) and all that follows through 1985.

(2)

Social Security Act

Section 403(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(3)) is amended—

(A)

by striking subparagraph (G); and

(B)

by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (G).

3.

CBO publication of alternative fiscal scenarios

Section 202(e)(1) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 602(e)(1)) is amended by adding after the period at the end the following new sentence: Such report shall include alternative fiscal scenarios, as deemed appropriate, prepared in consultation with the Committees on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate..