[sitetest]

The difference is that for something requiring annual appropriations, failure to act by appropriation means defunding. Thus, for funding to continue, consent of Congress (and presidential signature on the funding legislation) is required. If Congress passes no funding, it stops.

For something that is funded through fees, failure to act means funding continues. Congress can pass a bill all day long stopping the funding through fees, but if the Kenyan anti-Christ vetoes it, the funding continues.

[mrsmith]

Good point.

Ironically, Obama’s main justification for this is that the Department doesn’t have enough money appropriated to remove everyone so it can prioritize.

So appropriators can block this by just giving them enough money!
A good use of our money for a change.