This book is an essential guide to understanding the federal budget process. Allen Schick brings together three critical elements of budget strategy: the political tactics and relationships that determine budgetary success or failure; the policy objectives pursued through the budget's revenue and spending proposals; and the rules and procedures that govern congressional and presidential action on these proposals.

Politics, policy, and process are integrated in a series of chapters that walk the reader through the many stages and complexities of federal budgeting. The author explains how budgeting works at each stage of executive and legislative action, from preparation of the president's budget through the appropriation and expenditure of funds. Throughout the book, he highlights documents actually used in federal budgeting.

The book provides an analysis of the early years of Bill Clinton's presidency, discusses budgetary actions already taken to deal with pressing social issues, and examines the outlook for the years ahead. Schick explains how the budget got so out of control and what can be done about it. He concludes with an assessment of the potential effects of current and proposed budgetary reforms.