Definite Authority in the United States

Definite Authority in the Federal Budget Process

Meaning of Definite Authority in the congressional and executive budget processes (GAO source): Budget authority that is stated as a specified sum at the time the authority is enacted. This type of authority, whether in an appropriation act or other law, includes authority stated as “not to exceed” a specified amount.

Guide to U.S. Federal Budget Amount Determination (Budget Process)

• Budget Amount Determination
• Definite Authority
• Indefinite Authority

Resources

See Also

• Federal Appropriations
• Entries about the United States Budget Process in the Encyclopedia (including Definite Authority)
• Public Debt

Further Reading

• Legislatures and the budget process: the myth of fiscal control

  (J Wehner, 2010)

• Reconcilable Differences?: Congress, the Budget Process, and the Deficit (JB Gilmour, 1990)
• Fiscal institutions and fiscal performance

  (JM Poterba, J von Hagen, 2008)