The Constitution divides federal power by giving the president control of the military, but giving control of the government checkbook exclusively to Congress. Under Article I, Section 9, no federal agency can spend a single dollar of public funds unless Congress has passed a specific law authorizing that spending. This control over money is the ultimate legislative check on the executive branch.
The most dramatic challenge to this rule was the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s. Congress had passed the Boland Amendments, which strictly banned federal agencies from spending any money to support the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. To bypass this congressional ban, White House officials secretly sold weapons to Iran and funneled the profits directly to the Contras, bypassing the appropriations process and triggering a massive constitutional crisis.
While this power is a cornerstone of American government, the way it is used has changed. Congress often hands over massive lump-sum grants to agencies to handle emergencies. While this lets agencies respond to crises quickly, critics argue it weakens congressional oversight and shifts too much financial control to the president.
This power is the ultimate democratic safeguard against executive tyranny. By controlling the federal budget, the legislature can force the president to compromise on policy and hold administrative agencies accountable.
People often think the president decides how federal tax money is spent. In practice, while the president proposes a budget, only Congress can legally authorize and appropriate the funds.
This power is the ultimate democratic safeguard against executive tyranny. By controlling the federal budget, the legislature can force the president to compromise on policy and hold administrative agencies accountable.
People often think the president decides how federal tax money is spent. In practice, while the president proposes a budget, only Congress can legally authorize and appropriate the funds.