Brazil's Congress approves constitutional amendment granting lawmakers greater say on federal budget

Brazil’s lower house of Congress on Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment to increase lawmakers’ control over public spending, giving the government even less fiscal maneuvering room. The amendment obliges the government to spend a share of the federal budget on projects earmarked by congressional caucuses, effectively raising the already high share of non-discretionary government expenditure. Non-discretionary spending, which includes areas such as health, education and social security, is currently around 91% of the central government’s budget and will rise under the new rules, further limiting the government’s room for maneuver.
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