Overview
- At an Insper event in São Paulo, Planning Minister Simone Tebet said part of the discretionary budget was “confiscated, seized” by Congress through parliamentary amendments.
- Tebet argued she is not against amendments but opposes concentrations that let a single lawmaker direct about R$60 million per year without planning or alignment to public policy.
- Chamber of Deputies President Hugo Motta rebutted the remarks on X, calling the characterization mistaken and saying no democratic institution “seizes” the budget.
- Motta defended amendments as a constitutional prerogative that gives voice to states and municipalities and reflects balance between the branches.
- The 2026 Budget includes about R$61 billion in amendments and was sanctioned with roughly R$400 million vetoed, and the exchange has not produced changes to the enacted allocations.