Congress quietly shifts federal budget calendar—what it means for you
H.R. 5613 — It’s About Time Act · Filed by Michael Turner (R-OH) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Sep 26, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill shifts the federal government's fiscal year from October 1–September 30 to January 1–December 31, aligning it with the calendar year. The change takes effect January 1, 2027, with a transition period covering October 1, 2026–December 31, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will manage the operational shift across all federal agencies.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is a structural change to federal budgeting cycles, shifting from a fiscal year beginning October 1 to a calendar year beginning January 1. This is a procedural/administrative reform, not a substantive policy change.
What the text implies
- A three-month transition period (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026) creates a budgeting gap requiring interim appropriations legislation, potentially increasing legislative workload and creating opportunities for unrelated riders.
- Alignment with calendar year may facilitate coordination with state and local budgets (which typically run Jan–Dec), potentially improving intergovernmental fiscal planning.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
IT consulting and systems integration firms (managing federal agency budget system conversions); Government contractors (potential short-term disruption, long-term alignment benefits)