Definition: An appropriation is money designated for a specific purpose by a state or federal legislature.
In the U.S. Congress, all appropriations bills must originate in the House of Representatives, and they provides the legal authority needed to spend or obligate the U.S. Treasury. However, both the House and Senate have Appropriation Committees; they are responsible for designating how and when the federal government may spend money; this is called "controlling the purse strings."
Each year, Congress must authorize 13 annual appropriations bills to jointly fund the entire federal government. These 13 bills must be enacted prior to the start of the new fiscal year, which is 1 October. Should Congress fail to meet this deadline, it must either authorize temporary, short-term funding or shut down the federal government.
In the U.S. Congress, all appropriations bills must originate in the House of Representatives, and they provides the legal authority needed to spend or obligate the U.S. Treasury. However, both the House and Senate have Appropriation Committees; they are responsible for designating how and when the federal government may spend money; this is called "controlling the purse strings."
Each year, Congress must authorize 13 annual appropriations bills to jointly fund the entire federal government. These 13 bills must be enacted prior to the start of the new fiscal year, which is 1 October. Should Congress fail to meet this deadline, it must either authorize temporary, short-term funding or shut down the federal government.