Fixing federal budgeting requires careful attention to policy, process, and especially politics. Efforts to improve congressional capacity are bearing fruit, but using these resources effectively requires better incentives from stronger institutions. Empowering committees to advance better policies is crucial. Committee memberships that are microcosms of the overall caucus or conference build trust, incorporate all major points of view, and foster healthy deliberation. Adjusting conference and caucus rules can harness the comparative advantages of members, committees, and leaders to unleash Congress’ potential to solve problems. Many members are open to big changes. Outside organizations can shift members’ cost–benefit calculations toward public interest policies, especially by building cross-partisan coalitions that include non-traditional interest group partners. Reformers must patiently build options when their issues get little attention from Congress so they will exist when Congress is ready for them. Growing fiscal pressures could catalyze major upgrades to federal budgeting in the coming years. A debt limit deal, jumpy bond markets, inter-branch conflicts, and even litigation to belatedly force Congress to call an amendment convention could converge to help Congress revive itself, embrace a responsible and effective budget process, and restore fiscal democracy in America.