What is the function of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plays a crucial role in the executive branch by preparing the federal budget and monitoring government spending. This office is tasked with crafting the budgetary framework that balances the government's spending priorities with its revenue generation capabilities. This involves extensive analysis of various federal agencies' budget requests, which the OMB evaluates to ensure that federal funds are effectively allocated in alignment with the president's policy goals.

Once the budget is established, the OMB continues to monitor spending by various departments, ensuring that expenditures do not exceed the authorized amounts and that funds are being used efficiently. This oversight is vital for maintaining fiscal responsibility within the federal government. The OMB's budgetary responsibilities also extend to assessing the performance of federal programs and analyzing the economic impact of budget proposals.

The other options describe functions that do not align with the OMB's responsibilities. For instance, writing legislation for Congress is not within the purview of the OMB; rather, that responsibility lies with Congress itself. Overseeing federal courts pertains to the judicial branch and falls outside the executive branch's responsibilities, while providing intelligence to Congress is primarily the role of the intelligence community and does not fall under the OMB's functions.