In which phase do Agencies testify to Congress regarding their budget requests?

• A. Phase 2: Congressional Action Phase
• B. Phase 1: Budget Formulation Phase
• C. Phase 3: Post-Action Phase
• D. Phase 4: Review Phase

Answer: (A)

During the Congressional Action Phase, agencies testify to Congress about their budget requests. This phase is when Congress actively reviews proposed budgets, holds hearings, asks questions, and makes funding decisions through appropriations and authorizations. Agencies provide testimony to defend their requests, explain program goals, justify costs, and respond to committee inquiries, which helps Congress determine what gets funded. In the Budget Formulation Phase, agencies are crafting and proposing budgets, so testimony isn’t the primary activity there. The Post-Action and Review Phases focus on execution and performance evaluation after funding decisions have been made, not on presenting the requested amounts.