Senate Appropriations Committee At A Glance

Within the United States, the federal government recognizes two different budget categories. The first is mandatory spending and the second is discretionary spending. Discretionary spending refers to any type of budget spending that government bodies have a voice in. The Senate Appropriations Committee was created in order to oversee discretionary spending.

The Senate Appropriations Committee remains the most extensive Committee within the state Senate. It is comprised of 29 state Senators. Before any federal funds are taken from the United States Treasury and subsequently spent, it must be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. As a result, this Committee is extremely important and possesses a significant amount of authority. The Senate Appropriations Committee was initially created in 1867. Prior to the establishment of this Committee, the Finance Committee was responsible for overseeing appropriations and associated legislation.

In the event that federal funds are required for any reason, the Senate Appropriations Committee must create a bill that outlines the use of this money and all related considerations. After the bill has been drafted by the Committee, it will be introduced to the Senate and the House of Representatives for voting.

If the majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives approve the bill, than the funds can be taken from the Treasury and used as specified. The Senate Appropriations Committee has been involved in a number of major historical events and plays a primary role in the designation of federal funds.

NEXT: Senate Employment Bulletin At A Glance