The Constitutional and Legal Framework: Laws That Control Federal Spending
Federal budget execution isn't just bureaucratic process—it's constitutional law in action.
How to Read a Continuing Resolution
This guide deconstructs the Continuing Resolution (HR 5371) to reveal how its "anomalies" establish targeted policy choices and funding levels beyond simple maintenance. On November 12, 2025, Congress passed and the President signed HR 5371 (enacted as Public Law 119-37) — ending the Federal government's longest lapse
How Appropriations Work: Duration and Distribution
Last week, you learned what an appropriation is. This week: how they actually work in practice. Last week, we covered the three elements of every appropriation (time, purpose, amount), and how Congress organizes the 12 annual appropriations bills. But knowing what an appropriation IS doesn't tell you how
What is a Government Shutdown? Understanding Lapses in Appropriations
Today, the federal government hit a milestone - the longest lapse in appropriations in U.S. history. Here's what's actually happening in a shutdown—and what isn't. The federal government is experiencing a lapse in appropriations—commonly called a "government shutdown." But
What is an Appropriation? Understanding Congress's Power of the Purse
Before tracking budget execution or making sense of a government shutdown, you need to understand what an appropriation actually is—and what it isn't. Federal budget tracking starts with appropriations. But what exactly IS an appropriation? Most people think it's simple: Congress passes a bill, money