#49: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #49: What is the difference between an authorization and an appropriation?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Congressional Process and Powers
Q&A #49: What is the difference between an authorization and an appropriation?
Authorizations and appropriations are separate and distinct parts of the Federal budget process.
Authorizations are measures which establish Federal policies and programs, and may also make recommendations concerning the proper spending level for a program or agency.
Those recommendations are acted upon in the form of appropriations, which provide specific dollar amounts for agencies, programs, and operations.
If an authorization specifies a spending level or upper limit, this amount acts as the maximum that an appropriation can provide.
The rules of both the House and the Senate prohibit unauthorized appropriations, but both Chambers have developed practices to avoid the operation of these rules if it is the desire of the Chamber to do so.
My Thoughts
The appropriations process is at the center of a big dispute in the Trump administration right now. If a President can execute a Federal program for less than the appropriated amount, should he be able to do so? If he spends less and “impounds” the remaining funds, is that a problem?
I’ll be covering the impoundment controversy in a separate post, so stay tuned!
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Back next time with Q&A #50: What are the different types of appropriation measures?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
February 18, 2025