Background and Relevance of the Congress Spending Proposal
The Mexican federal legislative branch is considering a 4.6% real reduction in its budget for 2026 compared to 2025. This proposal comes from the Chamber of Deputies, which has requested a budget of 9,602 million 671,330 pesos for the following year. This amount is similar to the one authorized in 2025, but when adjusted for real terms, it represents a decrease.
Senate’s Request vs. Deputies’ Proposal
The Chamber of Senators has requested a budget of 5,103 million 817,038 pesos for 2026. When considering a deflation rate of 4.8%, this amounts to 5,348 million 800,256 pesos. This means that the budget requested for the upcoming year is 4.6% less than what was authorized for 2025.
Breakdown of the Proposed Budget
According to the Federal Budget Project for 2026, submitted by the federal executive to the Chamber of Deputies for discussion and approval, the total amount requested consists of 5,092 million 861,538 pesos for “current expenditure” and 10 million 955,500 pesos for “capital investment.”
Compared to the approved budget for the current year, which totals 5,307 million 803,788 pesos for current expenditure and 40 million 996,467.8 pesos for public investment, the projected amounts imply reductions of 4% and 73.2%, respectively.
Detailed Spending Categories
For current expenditure, the Chamber of Deputies has requested:
- 3,259 million 694,465 pesos for “personnel services”
- 866 million 41,675 pesos for “operational expenses”
- 14 million 457,566 pesos for “subsidies”
- 952 million 667,832 pesos for “other current expenses”
Taking deflation into account, the proposed budget for 2026 for personnel services is 1.6% higher than the amount authorized for 2025; operational expenses are projected to decrease by 57.2%; and other current expenses are expected to increase by 1,198.9%.
Impact and Principles Guiding the Proposal
The Chamber of Deputies aims to promote optimal resource use while ensuring legislative, parliamentary, and administrative activities. This is done under the principles of rationality, austerity, equity, economy, efficiency, effectiveness, impartiality, transparency, fiscal discipline, and honesty.
Specific Budget Allocations
The Chamber of Deputies estimates spending as follows:
- More than 5,998 million pesos for personnel services
- 1,605 million pesos for operational expenses
- 1,553 million pesos for subsidies
- 29.4 million pesos for other current expenses
Auditor’s Office Budget Request
The Federal Auditing Office (ASF), which reports to the Chamber of Deputies, has requested a budget of 2,822 million 588,131 pesos for 2026 from the finance ministry. If approved, this budget will also represent a 4.6% real reduction, as it is nearly identical to the amount allocated for 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the proposed budget for the Chamber of Deputies in 2026? The proposed budget is 9,602 million 671,330 pesos.
- How does this compare to the 2025 budget? Although the nominal amount is similar, the real value will decrease by 4.6% due to inflation.
- What is the Senate’s budget request for 2026? The Chamber of Senators has requested 5,103 million 817,038 pesos.
- How does the ASF budget for 2026 compare to 2025? The requested budget of 2,822 million 588,131 pesos represents a nearly identical amount to the 2025 budget, resulting in a 4.6% real reduction if approved.
