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'''Backdoor spending authority''' in the federal budget is [[budget authority]] to incur obligations that evade the normal Congressional [[appropriation]]s process because it is provided in legislation other than appropriation acts.  '''Spending authority''' is the technical term for backdoor authority<ref>[http://democrats.rules.house.gov/archives/glossary_fbp.htm Glossary of Terms in the Federal Budget Process], Louise M. Slaughter.</ref>, and defined in section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, as various types of authority to obligate the [[United States]] to make payments, the budget authority for which is not provided in advance in appropriations acts. It can also be known as a [[permanent appropriation]].

'''Backdoor spending authority''' in the federal budget is [[budget authority]] to incur obligations that evade the normal Congressional [[appropriation]]s process because it is provided in legislation other than appropriation acts.  '''Spending authority''' is the technical term for backdoor authority<ref>[http://democrats.rules.house.gov/archives/glossary_fbp.htm Glossary of Terms in the Federal Budget Process], Louise M. Slaughter.</ref>, and defined in section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, as various types of authority to obligate the [[United States]] to make payments, the budget authority for which is not provided in advance in appropriations acts. It can also be known as a [[permanent appropriation]].

Various types of backdoor spending authority include authority to enter into [[contract]]s; to incur in[[debt]]edness; to make payments (including loans, grants and [[entitlement]]s) to persons or [[government]]s who meet requirements established by [[law]]; to allow United States government executive departments and agencies to forgo collection of proprietary offsetting receipts<ref>collection of some taxes, fees and debts justly due.</ref>; and to make any other payments (including loans, grants, and payments from [[revolving fund]]s).

Various types of backdoor spending authority include authority to enter into [[contract]]s; to incur in[[debt]]edness; to make payments (including loans, grants and [[entitlement]]s) to persons or [[government]]s who meet requirements established by [[law]]; to allow United States government executive departments and agencies to forgo collection of proprietary offsetting receipts<ref>collection of some taxes, fees and debts justly due.</ref>; and to make any other payments (including loans, grants, and payments from [[revolving fund]]s.

From the perspective of the appropriations committees, funding by these forms of spending authority slips away from their control through legislative back doors. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allowed older forms of backdoor spending to be grandfathered in but attempted to give the appropriations committees some control over new [[Direct_spending#New_spending|new spending]], or new borrowing and contract authority).

From the perspective of the appropriations committees, funding by these forms of spending authority slips away from their control through legislative back doors. The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allowed older forms of backdoor spending to be grandfathered in but attempted to give the appropriations committees some control over new [[Direct_spending#New_spending|new spending]], or new borrowing and contract authority).