Question

Fiscal Law is based on the premise that appropriations are only available for obligation and expenditure when specifically _______ by the Congress, not that we can use appropriations unless specially prohibited by the Congress.

Answer 1

Fiscal Law requires that appropriations for government spending must be specifically authorized by Congress, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution's 'power of the purse', which is a crucial check on executive power.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fiscal Law is predicated on the principle that appropriations are only available for obligation and expenditure when specifically authorized by the Congress, not that we can use appropriations unless specially prohibited by the Congress. This is grounded in theconstitutional mandate that no money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law, as stated in Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution. The concept of power of the purse grants Congress the sole authority to control government spending. This serves as an essential check and balance against the executive branch, ensuring a rigorous process of budget approvals and allocations that are reflected in the federal budget, and affecting all levels of government including state and local jurisdictions.