Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2020 Pursuant To Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended

This order triggers automatic spending cuts (sequestration) for fiscal year 2020, requiring non-exempt federal budget accounts to reduce direct spending by amounts calculated by OMB. The reductions take effect October 1, 2019, based on OMB's March 18, 2019 report to Congress.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 10401

Impact dates

Oct 1, 2019
Sequestration reductions take effect for FY2020

Key directives

Direct spending budgetary resources in each non-exempt budget account shall be reduced by OMB-calculated amounts
All sequestrations shall follow section 251A of the Act and OMB report specifications

Who is ordered

Director of the Office of Management and Budget · Office of Management and Budget

Timeline

Immediate

OMB report issued to Congress March 18, 2019
Presidential order signed March 18, 2019

Near term (90d)

Agencies prepare for October 1 sequestration implementation

Long term

Automatic spending reductions persist through FY2020 unless Congress modifies statute

Risks & tensions

Order implements mandatory cuts under existing statute, not discretionary presidential policy; limited flexibility to alter scope
Non-exempt program designations create uneven impact across government
Timing creates implementation challenges for agencies mid-fiscal-year planning cycle