Definition of Appropriations

What are "appropriations"? What is the definition of the term "appropriations" as it pertains to federal budgets?

An "appropriation" is money that has been set aside for a certain purpose via a "formal action" (legislative act).

For example - let's say that the US federal government plans on creating a new organization that will oversee computer security in the country. A piece of legislation is signed that will create an annual budget of $400 million for this new organization. This would be an "appropriation", as $400 million is being set aside for this new initiative via a piece of legislation.

According to Senate.gov, an "appropriations committee" is responsible for "approving expenditures made from the Federal Treasury".

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