Which term refers to money that Congress has allocated to be spent?

• A. Allocation
• B. Authorization
• C. Appropriation
• D. Reconciliation

Answer: (C)

In budgeting, the money Congress has allocated to be spent is provided through an appropriation. An appropriation is the actual funding authority given to federal agencies, allowing them to disburse money for specific programs and purposes during a set period, usually a fiscal year. This money becomes available only after the appropriation is enacted.

Authorization, on the other hand, creates or continues a program and sets maximum spending levels, but it does not by itself provide the funds. Reconciliation is a budgeting process used to align spending with revenue targets, not the act of funding. While allocation can refer to distributing resources, the formal term for the funds that can be spent is appropriation.