Source: Palm Beach Post
by Kevin Wagner
“The ability to draw and send money, or the power of the purse, belongs to Congress. The Constitution states in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 that ‘No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.’ While the President has the duty to enforce and carry out the laws, Congress writes and enacts them. The Supreme Court has consistently affirmed Congress’s authority over federal spending, reaffirming that no money can be spent without an appropriation from Congress (1850) and that executive actions cannot create financial obligations beyond what Congress has authorized (1990). … Nonetheless, there have been regular conflicts between legislative and executive branches over spending, or not spending.” (02/04/25)