What Constitutional principle is at stake when parties attach policy priorities to must-pass spending bills?

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Congressional power of the purse is at stake. Article I, Section 9 gives Congress exclusive authority over federal spending - no money can be spent without Congressional appropriation. When parties attach policy priorities to continuing resolutions, they're exercising this power as leverage to force opponents to choose between their preferred policies and government shutdown. Democrats use it to push ACA subsidies; Republicans have used it for spending cuts and border security. The practice tests Constitutional boundaries because it can force the minority party to accept policies it opposes or be blamed for dysfunction. Critics argue this weaponizes the appropriations process, while defenders say it's the only way minority parties can extract concessions from the majority.

What Constitutional principle is at stake when parties attach policy priorities to must-pass spending bills?

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