Which of the following is true about congressional spending power?

• A. It is solely the President's responsibility.
• B. It permits Congress to authorize expenditures of government funds.
• C. It allows unlimited spending without appropriations.
• D. It requires no oversight.

Answer: (B)

Congress has the power of the purse: it can authorize and fund government programs through appropriations. This means Congress decides how much money to spend, on what programs, and for what purposes, by passing appropriation laws that specify the exact expenditures. The President can propose a budget and execute spending within the authority Congress provides, but actual spending requires those appropriations to be approved. This framework ensures funds are allocated and used according to congressional priorities, with ongoing oversight to make sure money is spent as intended.

The idea that spending is solely the President’s responsibility ignores the constitutional structure that gives Congress control over appropriations. The notion of unlimited spending without appropriations contradicts how statutes and annual budgets regulate expenditures. And the claim that there is no oversight misstates the reality that Congress, along with audits and committees, regularly reviews how funds are spent.