Deep Dive: Pentagon Appropriations

Appropriations legislation is best known for setting spending limits on federal programs. If Congress doesn’t like a policy proposed or taken by the President, the fastest way to block that policy is to insert language saying no federal funds may be spent to finalize or enforce the policy. No money/no action. Conversely, if the President doesn’t ask for money for a certain program, Congress can force a policy by insisting on funding a program.

The Pentagon accounts for the largest wedge of the discretionary spending pie. As such, it’s a target for Congressional pet projects that no one in the Pentagon ever asked for. (See our world-famous “Zero to Hero charts for those.) We read the bills, figure out what Congress is doing in defense spending and bring it all to you at this page devoted to a Deep Dive into Pentagon appropriations.