Yes, generally that is how it works. The appropriations goes to committees to decide what they will actually buy from that now called Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.
The committees is the key. Make or brake us all depends on a select few people running those committees.
These types of bills also gives large slush funds for the president which will also be decided by the committees.
At first I was upset I kept hearing it was a budget when it's not. It's interesting strategy.
Who chooses the committee members?