Discretionary Appropriations - legislative glossary Archives

Discretionary Appropriations - legislative glossary

Discretionary Appropriations

Appropriations not mandated by existing law and therefore made available annually in appropriation bills in such amounts as Congress chooses. As defined by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, it refers to budget authority - and the outlays derived from it - provided in the annual appropriations acts, other than appropriated entitlements.

From TheCapitol.Net's Glossary of Congressional and Legislative Terms, which can also be found in the Congressional Deskbook.

For federal budget process training, see our "Understanding Congressional Budgeting and Appropriations"