LIMITS ON THE POWER TO APPROPRIATE

First rule - ALL APPROPRIATIONS, REVENUE OR TARIFF BILLS, BILLS

AUTHORIZING INCREASE OF THE PUBLIC DEBT, BILLS OF LOCAL
APPLICATION AND PRIVATE BILLS SHALL ORIGINATE EXCLUSIVELY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BU THE SENATE MAY PROPOSE
OR CONCUR WITH AMENDMENTS.

Second rule – THE CONGRESS MAY NOT INCREASE THE

APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PRESIDENT FOR THE
OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE BUDGET.

Third rule – THE CONGRESS MAY NOT CLATTER THE GENERAL

APPROPRIATION LAW WITH PROVISIONS NOT SPECIFICALLY
RELATED TO SOME PARTICULAR ITEMS OF APPROPRIATION, AND
EVERY SUCH PROVISION SHALL BE LIMITED IN ITS OPERATION TO
THE APPRORIATION ITEM TO WHICH IT RELATES. THIS IS THE
PROHIBITION AGAINT RIDERS.

Fourth rule – CONGRESS MAY NOT ADOPT A PROCEDURE FOR

APPROVING APPROPRIATIONS FOR ITSELF DIFFERENT FROM THE
PROCEDURE FOR OTHER APPROPRIATIONS.

Fifth rule – SPECIAL APPROPRIATION BILLS MUST SPECIFY THE

PURPOSE FOR WHICH THEY ARE INTENDED AND MUST BE
SUPPORTED BY FUNDS CERTIFIED AS AVAILABLE BY THE NATIONAL
TREASURER. IF THE FUNDS ARE NOT ACTUALLY AVAILABLE, THE
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL MUST PROVIDE A CORRESPONDING
REVENUE PROPOSAL.

Sixth rule - CONGRESS HAS LIMITED DISCRETION TO AUTHORIZE

TRANSFER OF FUNDS. LIMITED POWER OF AUGMENTATION.

Seventh rule - DISCRETIONARY FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR

PARTICULAR OFFICIALS SHALL BE DISBURSED ONLY FOR PUBLIC
PURPOSES TO BE SUPPORTED BY APPROPRIATE VOUCHERS AND
SUBJECT TO SUCH GUIDELINES AS MAY BE PRESECRIBED BY LAW.
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THIS IS A NEW PROVISION INTENDED TO PREVENT ABOUSE IN THE

USE OF DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.

Eighth rule – CONGRESS CANNOT CRIPPLE THE OPERATION FO

GOVERNMENT BY ITS FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO PASS A GENERAL
APPROPRIATIONS BILL. SECTION 25(7) PROPVIDES FOR AUTOMATIC
REENACTMENT OF THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS LAW OF THE
PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR. SUCH “REAPPROPRIATION” REMAINS IN
FORCE UNTIL THE NEW GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS LAW IS
APPROVED.

Ninth rule – SECTION 29(2) PROHIBITS THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC

MONEY OR PROPERTY FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.

Tenth rule – THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION LAW MUST BE BASED ON

THE BUDGET PREPARED BY THE PRESIDENT.

Eleventh rule – PUBLIC MONEY CAN BE APPROPRIATED ONLY FOR A

PUBLIC PURPOSE. THIS LIMITATION ARISES FORM THE RELATION
BETWEEN THE POWER TO SPEND AND THE POWER TO TAX.