Appropriation

The grant of money by a legislature for some specific purpose. The authority to grant appropriations, popularly known as the power of the purse gives legislatures a powerful check over executive branches and judicial branches, for no public money can be spent without legislative approval. Congress, for example, can approve or reject the annual budget requests of the executive branch for its agencies and programs, thereby influencing both domestic and foreign policy. Laws enacted at all levels of government may authorize or “raise” funds up to a specific amount for a specified purpose using taxation, transfer of funds from another source, or borrowing. Authorized funds must be appropriated before they are available to be expended for the stated legislative purpose. This is sometimes accomplished in the same legislative action, i.e., it is voted to “authorize (raise) and appropriate.” More likely, especially at the state and federal level, authorization and appropriation are separated, with a second vote required to appropriate funds, usually as part of a larger funding package. In many instances, less money is appropriated than had been authorized.

Appropriation Resources
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