OMB, acting for the President, then crafts a proposed budget through
back-and forth negotiations with departments and agencies, still a year be-
fore the fiscal year it will govern. Decisions are struck on dollars-dollars
that, to agencies, mean people, equipment, and everything else they need
for their jobs. OMB’s examiners may question agency staff as they develop
options papers, OMB’s director considers the options during his Director’s
Review meetings, OMB ”passes back” recommended funding levels for the
agencies, and final figures are worked out during a final appeals process.