Appropriations

Congressional Appropriations is the process that Congress uses to allocate federal funding ($$$) to government agencies and programs. Through annual appropriations bills, Congress determines how federal funds are distributed, specifying spending levels and priorities for each fiscal year.
​
The process to write these bills begins in the both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees, which hold hearings to learn more about that year's budget requests. Then, the Subcommittees create individual budget requests which are "marked up" by the larger Appropriations Committees.

Eventually, once approved, the bills pass out of Committee and onto their respective chamber floor. They're then voted on, any differences between the House and Senate versions are reconciled, the final text is approved by both chambers again, then the final appropriations bill is signed by the President.
​
In addition to the specific federal funding information, Congress includes another document called Report Language. This text provides additional guidance on how Congress expects agencies to use that fiscal year's money. While not legally binding, Report Language directs agencies to prioritize specific issues, conduct studies, or update Congress on progress. It serves as a key oversight tool, influencing policy decisions and ensuring that federal agencies align their work with congressional intent.