Question

Agencies invariably pad their budget requests because

a. their constituencies expect more benefits
b. Congress would view a lower request as a sign of weakness
c. they want to be almost inevitable budget cuts to be bearable
d. it is an accepted part of zero-based budgeting
e. cost overruns almost always put them over budget

Answer 1

Agencies pad their budget requests primarily to ensure they can function post-budget cuts, to avoid appearing weak to Congress, and to account for potential cost overruns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Agencies often pad their budget requests for several reasons. One key reason is so that they can absorb inevitable budget cuts while still maintaining the ability to fulfill their functions. They want to ensure that even after reductions, they have enough funds to operate effectively. Additionally, Congress might perceive a lower request as a sign of weakness, potentially leading to further cuts. Budgeting strategies, such as zero-based budgeting, do not necessarily condone padding, but it has become an expected part of the negotiation process due to the contentious nature of the federal budget process. Lastly, cost overruns are a common occurrence in government projects, and agencies often preemptively request additional funds to cover these unexpected expenses.