Appropriation bill
From Freepedia
An appropriation bill or supply bill is a legislative motion which authorizes the government to spend money. In most democracies, approval of the legislature is necessary for the government to spend money.
The defeat of an appropriation bill in a parliamentary vote generally necessitates either a resignation of a government or the calling of a general election.
In the United States, two types of legislation are used to spend money. A mandatory program is one that does not need an additional piece of legislation known as an appropriation in order for spending to occur. Social security benefits are an example of a "mandatory" program. In the United States, an appropriation bill is used to permit spending for "discretionary" programs. An authorization can create programs and make known the intent of the Congress about the level of spending for programs that also require an appropriation. What distinguishes a mandatory program from a discretionary program is that after Congress enacts a law creating a mandatory program, the program is permitted to spend funds until the program expires based on a provision in law, or until a subsequent law either terminates the program or reauthorizes it. "Discretionary" programs typically require annual appropriations legislation. The defeat of an appropriation bill in the United States requires the passage of another appropriation bill in order for continued spending to occur, or passage of a bill known as a continuing resolution, which generally permits spending at prior year levels.
See also
- Money bill
- Energy Policy Act of 2005
- U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
- U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
