Omnibus bill definition
Omnibus bills bundle multiple pieces of legislation into one package, allowing lawmakers to vote on them together.
An omnibus bill is a single piece of legislation that combines multiple, often unrelated measures into one legislative vehicle. Lawmakers commonly use these bills in the appropriations process to consolidate several funding bills into a single package.
Sometimes this happens as funding deadlines loom in order to prevent a government shutdown.
Omnibus bills condense multiple pieces of legislation into one vote.
Due to their length and complexity, these bills may be more difficult to review in full prior to final passage.
What’s the difference between omnibus and regular bills?
An omnibus bill follows the same constitutional path as any other bill, but it is assembled by combining multiple measures (often appropriations bills) into a single piece of legislation.
The key practical difference between omnibus and regular bills is that legislators must vote yes or no on the entire omnibus package, even if they support some parts and oppose others.
Regular Bill
- Addresses a single subject or policy area.
- Moves independently through committee, floor debate, and final passage.
- Receives its own standalone vote.
Omnibus Bill
- Combines multiple bills or subjects into one large package.
- May include provisions spanning different policy areas or multiple appropriations accounts.
- Receives one final vote covering all included provisions.
Why is it called an omnibus?
The word “omnibus” comes from Latin, meaning “for all” or “containing many things.” That is why omnibus is used to refer to a bill that gathers multiple subjects into one comprehensive measure.
Keep exploring
- Everything you need to know about a government shutdown - The impacts of government shutdowns include furloughed employees, reductions in services, closed parks and museums, and much more.
- What happens during a government shutdown furlough? - What happens to federal employees during a government shutdown? Learn who keeps working, who’s furloughed, and how pay, benefits, and leave are affected.
- How does the government budget process work? - Congress hasn't passed a full budget on time since 1997. How is the government getting funded?
- What are congressional appropriations (spending) bills and how are they approved? - Appropriation bills are proposed laws, put forth by 12 subcommittees, that authorize different government agencies to spend money.
