Budget Authority

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The term budget authority refers to the legal authority to authorize spending.

 

U.S. Senate Definition

 

Authority provided by law to enter into obligations that will result in outlays of Federal funds. Budget authority may be classified by the period of availability (one-year, multiyear, no-year), by the timing of congressional action (current or permanent), or by the manner of determining the amount available (definite or indefinite).

 

Reference:

 

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary.htm