围绕联邦预算的争议是国会议员、联邦机构和总统的年度活动。然而，今年的意识形态分歧尤为尖锐。1996财年已经过去六个月，政府已经关闭了两次，美国环境保护局（USEPA）仍在临时预算下运作。联邦预算的情况是如此复杂，以至于几乎没有国会议员理解它。本文简要介绍了联邦预算过程、驱动它的力量，以及它对饮用水供应商的影响。包括4个参考文献、图表。

Disputes over the federal budget are an annual event for members of Congress, federal agencies, and the President. This year, however, ideological disagreements have been especially sharp. Six months into fiscal year 1996, two government shutdowns have occurred, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is still operating under a temporary budget. The federal budget picture is so complicated that even few members of Congress understand it. This article takes a brief look inside the federal budget process, the forces driving it, and the implications it has for drinking water suppliers. Includes 4 references, figures.