Difference between revisions of "Backdoor spending authority"
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| − | '''Backdoor spending authority''' in the federal budget is [[budget authority]] to incur obligations that evades the normal Congressional [[appropriation]]s process because it is provided in legislation other than appropriation acts. | + | '''Backdoor spending authority''' in the federal budget is [[budget authority]] to incur obligations that evades 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. The various types include authority to enter into [[contract]]s; to incur in[[debt]]edness; to make payments (including loans, grants and [[entitlements]]) to persons or [[government]]s who meet requirements established by [[law]]; to forgo the collection by the United States of proprietary offsetting receipts; 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. However, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 gave those committees some control over new borrowing and contract authority. | |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Direct spending]] | ||
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| + | [[category:United States Government]] | ||
[[Category:Budget terms]] | [[Category:Budget terms]] | ||
Revision as of 18:43, January 10, 2013
Backdoor spending authority in the federal budget is budget authority to incur obligations that evades the normal Congressional appropriations process because it is provided in legislation other than appropriation acts. Spending authority is the technical term for backdoor authority[1], 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. The various types include authority to enter into contracts; to incur indebtedness; to make payments (including loans, grants and entitlements) to persons or governments who meet requirements established by law; to forgo the collection by the United States of proprietary offsetting receipts; and to make any other payments (including loans, grants, and payments from revolving funds).
From the perspective of the appropriations committees, funding by these forms of spending authority slips away from their control through legislative back doors. However, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 gave those committees some control over new borrowing and contract authority.
