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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Overview of the Authorization-Appropriations Process


Bill Heniff Jr.
Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process

A primary avenue for exercising Congress’s power of the purse is the authorization and appropriation of federal spending to carry out government activities. While the power over appropriations is granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution, the authorization appropriation process is derived from House and Senate rules. The formal process consists of two sequential steps: (1) enactment of an authorization measure that may create or continue an agency or program as well as authorize the subsequent enactment of appropriations; and (2) enactment of appropriations to provide funds for the authorized agency or program.

Date of Report: November 29, 2010
Number of Pages: 3
Order Number: RS20371
Price: $19.95

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