Appropriations bills are proposed laws that authorize agencies of the federal government of the United States to spend money. Appropriations bills may be for definite or indefinite sums. Each fiscal year, Congress passes 12 appropriations bills and supplemental appropriation acts to fund government operations.

There are several kinds of appropriations:

  • Annual appropriations
  • Multi-year appropriations
  • Revolving funds
  • Expired appropriations
  • Canceled appropriations
Federal spending
In FY 2024, the federal government spent $6.8T.

What are the 12 types of appropriations bills?

There are 12 appropriations subcommittees. Each one produces an appropriations bill annually. Often, the dozen bills are combined and referred to as an omnibus appropriations bill.

The 12 subcommittees that produce appropriations bills include:

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How are appropriations bills approved?

The appropriations bill approval office is a lengthy one. Each fiscal year the president, via the White House Office of Management and Budget, submits a budget request to Congress.

Each chamber of Congress then responds with the creation of a budget resolution. Once approved, budget resolutions move on to the appropriation committees in the House and the Senate.

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Page sources and methodology

All of the data on the page was sourced directly from government agencies. The analysis and final review was performed by USAFacts.