What is the term for the legislative authority to spend approved by the appropriations committees of Congress?

The correct answer is appropriations. In the context of the federal budget process, an appropriation refers to the legislative act that officially allocates funds to federal agencies, allowing them to spend money for specific purposes. This process is carried out by the appropriations committees in Congress, which review and approve the funding requests made by various government departments and agencies. Once an appropriation is enacted, the funds can be disbursed and used as outlined in the legislation.

The significance of appropriations lies in their role in budgeting and financial management, as they provide the necessary legal authority for government entities to utilize taxpayer money. This oversight helps ensure accountability and controls spending within the government. While authorization establishes the groundwork and can create programs, appropriations are what provide the actual funding needed to execute those programs.