[AndyJackson]

I want to thank you and LS for setting forth so clearly the process by which the Congress does the budgeting process. The part you left out is the why of the split authorization vs appropriations process. The answer:

Appropriations subcommittees (there is one appropriations committee in each house which sets the total appropriation for the year and then divies that up among the various subcommittees (defense, energy and water, commerce etc;) who then work out the detailed appropriations. But there are not a lot of appropriators and it is a lot of work and not a lot of time.

Oversight, writing laws establishing and regulating the various departments and agencies, creation of programs, etc. is done by the authorizing committees and their subcommittees, e.g. armed services committee and its subcommittees such as strategic forces, seapower, personnel, etc.

For instance the UCMJ and its amendments are done through the authorizing committees. DOJ oversight is done by the justice committee. Spending for DOJ is set through the appropriation subcommittee for comers,justice, science and related agencies.

Hearings for presidential nominees are held through the various authorizing committees.

[hoosiermama]

We haven’t had a budget since April 29, 2009. So we haven’t had any budget rules to enforce since then.

[LS]

Yes Andy. Good job. Was streamlining for Twitter.

[wastedyears]

Could one of you be so kind as to link me to that budgeting process?