Bill · S. 4372· Senate(119-S-4372)
No Bias in the Baseline Act
- Introduced
- 4/22/2026
- Last activity
- 4/22/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Sponsored by
- Roger Marshall
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "No Bias in the Baseline Act" aims to change how budget baselines are calculated. It modifies the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. The bill requires the baseline to be a projection based on current laws and the assumption that current levels of discretionary appropriations continue. It also removes adjustments for inflation or other factors from the baseline calculation. Additionally, the bill makes several technical changes to the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the Social Security Act.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill establishes a more rigid and predictable methodology for calculating budget baselines.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+2
The bill aims to create more consistent and specific projections for budget authority and outlays based on current laws.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-2
The removal of inflation adjustments from the budget baseline may negatively impact the projected funding for social programs like Social Security.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-2
By removing inflation adjustments from budget projections, the bill may underrepresent the future funding needs for social safety net programs.
Would retired people be better off under this?-2
The exclusion of inflation adjustments from budget baselines could impact the long-term visibility of funding requirements for retirement-related programs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarification of Budget Projections: By basing the baseline on the assumption of continuation of current levels of discretionary appropriations, the bill provides a specific method for projecting budget authority, outlays, and revenues (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Consistent Direct Spending Assumptions: The bill instructs that laws creating direct spending and receipts are assumed to operate exactly as specified in those laws for each year (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Removal of Inflation Adjustments: The bill explicitly states that no adjustment shall be made for inflation or any other factor in the baseline calculation (Section 2(a)(3)), which could impact how budget needs are projected against rising costs.
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Exclusion of Certain Resources: The bill modifies the baseline to exclude resources designated as an emergency requirement and resources provided in supplemental appropriation laws (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households-2Good For Retirees-2Good For Seniors-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security-2
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.