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Authorization, Annual

National Debt Glossary: Key terms for understanding America's financial crisis


Legislation that authorizes appropriations for a single fiscal year and usually for a specific amount.

Under the rules of the authorization-appropriation process, an annually authorized agency or program must be reauthorized each year if it is to receive appropriations for that year.

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Sometimes Congress fails to enact the reauthorization but nevertheless provides appropriations to continue the program, circumventing the rules by one means or another.

Source: House Budget Committee

See also: Authorization

See all terms in the National Debt Glossary

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