Authorization Bills

Congress passes authorization bills to determine which programs and agencies the federal government is allowed to operate. Authorization bills may create legal authority for new programs or continue the operation of existing ones, either indefinitely or for one or several years. They set policy and procedures for government programs. Some authorizations set a ceiling on the amount of money that may be appropriated for the programs; others are open-ended, simply permitting the appropriation of “such sums as may be necessary.”

Authorization bills do not themselves provide money; that requires separate action through the appropriations process. Congressional rules state that programs must be authorized before money can be appropriated for them, but the requirement is often waived. (See Appropriations Bills).