Understanding the Content of an Appropriations Bill

Summary

Understanding the Content of an Appropriations Bill

This infographic provides information on the legislative components commonly included in annual appropriations acts. For further information on appropriations and the appropriations process, see the CRS Appropriations Issue Area page and the CRS Appropriations Status Table.

H.R. 4366

AN ACT

Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for

the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

Departments and agencies funded in

the bill, as well as the Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the bill.

The fiscal year in which the funds provided in the

bill must be obligated (i.e., committed by the agency), unless specified otherwise below.

TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Military Construction, Army

Appropriations account:

An unnumbered paragraph usually corresponding to an account within the Treasury. Often includes one or more program, project, or activity.

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $189,322,000, to remain available until September 30, 2028: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $36,200,000

shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law. . . .

Purpose: The activities for which the agency may use funds, typically referencing an underlying authorization.

Amount: The level of budget authority provided to the agency. Budget authority grants the agency the legal authority to enter into financial obligations committing the funds provided.

Duration: Time period during which agencies must obligate funds, if different than the fiscal year noted in the title.

Set-aside: A specific maximum or minimum that can be spent for a stated purpose.

Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall be

expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for

construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.

Limitations: Prohibit funds in the bill from being used for certain purposes or granted to specific recipients.

Sec. 117. Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in "Family Housing" accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; 

Transfer authority:

Permits the agency to transfer budget authority from one appropriations account to another. (Transferring funds is prohibited unless

authorized by law.)

Sec. 230. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not reprogram funds among major construction projects or programs if such instance of reprogramming will exceed $7,000,000, unless such reprogramming is approved by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

Reprogramming restrictions: Restrict an agency's authority to reprogram (or shift) funds within an appropriations account. (Reprogramming of funds is generally permitted unless restricted by law.)

Sec. 256. Of the unobligated balances available to the Department of Veterans Affairs from prior appropriations Acts, the following funds are hereby rescinded from the following accounts in the amounts specified:

"Veterans Health Administration—Medical Services", $4,933,113,000;

"Veterans Health Administration—Medical Community Care", $1,909,069,000;

"Veterans Health Administration—Medical Facilities", $250,515,000.

Rescission: The cancellation of unobligated budget authority provided in previously enacted legislation, meaning it is no longer available to the agency for obligation.