The EU's 2013 budget - separate from the multi-year budget - was agreed last December.

BBC: UK challenges new EU demand for 2013 budget cash

MEPs also wanted a bigger say in the EU's multi-year budget for 2014-2020.

BBC: Euro MPs adopt amended EU budget for 2011

The MEPs have not yet approved the EU's multi-year budget for 2014-2020.

BBC: UK challenges new EU demand for 2013 budget cash

The EU is resuming tough negotiations on its multi-year budget, with leaders warning that big differences remain ahead of a Brussels summit this week.

BBC: Gloom as EU budget talks resume in Brussels

The European Parliament demanded further negotiations on the EU's multi-year budget, with MEPs voting earlier this week that they would only accept the deal on certain conditions.

BBC: Nick Clegg

The 3.3% cut in the multi-year budget, agreed by EU governments last month, will not get through the European Parliament unless the amending budget is agreed first, MEPs say.

BBC: UK challenges new EU demand for 2013 budget cash

The member states did finally agree on the 2013 budget in December, but the multi-year budget - officially the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) - is more complex, involving long-term priorities and financial commitments.

BBC: Gloom as EU budget talks resume in Brussels

If Republicans play their cards right and insist on instituting real budget constraints to take matters one year at a time, rather than playacting with grandiose multi-year paper plans, they can put in place the institutional framework for real budget control and actually realize tangible results.

FORBES: In Passing The Most Recent Budget, Congress And The President Lied