1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov June 16, 2020Congresss Power Over Appropriations: A PrimerA number of constitutional and statutory provisions provide Congress with perhaps its most important legislative tool: the power to direct and control federal spending. This In Focus summarizes relevant constit
2、utional and statutory provisions, and identifies recent developments related to Congresss power over appropriations. For a more detailed discussion of these issues, see CRS Report R46417, Congresss Power Over Appropriations: Constitutional and Statutory Provisions, by Sean M. Stiff. Constitutional A
3、uthority Several constitutional provisions combine to provide Congress its “power of the purse.” These include the Spending Clause (Art. I, 8, cl. 1), which empowers Congress to raise revenue, pay debts, and “provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.” Courts defer subs
4、tantially to Congresss decision of what constitutes the general welfare. In addition, the Appropriations Clause (Art. I, 9, cl. 7) states that “no Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” Congress must authorize any expenditure of Treasury funds. Con
