Stop the Baseline Bloat Act of 2025

# Stop the Baseline Bloat Act of 2025 — Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would change how Congress calculates its budget baseline—essentially the starting point used to measure whether spending is increasing or decreasing. Currently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) includes emergency spending and supplemental appropriations (extra money approved outside the regular budget process) when projecting future spending levels. This bill would exclude those types of spending from baseline calculations.

The idea behind the change is that emergency and supplemental spending are temporary additions that shouldn't automatically become the new "normal" for future budget projections. **Who It Affects and Why It Matters** This change would affect Congress's budget planning and how lawmakers evaluate the cost of new legislation. By excluding emergency and supplemental spending from baseline projections, the bill could make future spending increases appear smaller on paper—potentially making it easier to pass new legislation without triggering budget rules that require offsets for increased spending. Conversely, it could make baseline spending appear lower, which some argue would create a more accurate picture of regular versus one-time spending. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.