22 USC 2412 – Limitation on foreign assistance appropriations
(a) Restrictions on appropriations in absence of or in excess of prior authorizations
Notwithstanding any provision of law enacted before January 12, 1971, no money appropriated for foreign assistance (including foreign military sales) shall be available for obligation or expenditure—
(1) unless the appropriation thereof has been previously authorized by law; or
(2) in excess of an amount previously prescribed by law.
(b) Exception
Terms Used In 22 USC 2412
- Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
To the extent that legislation enacted after the making of an appropriation for foreign assistance (including foreign military sales) authorizes the obligation or expenditure thereof, the limitation contained in subsection (a) shall have no effect.
(c) Specific repeal or modification of section
The provisions of this section shall not be superseded except by a provision of law enacted after January 12, 1971, which specifically repeals or modifies the provisions of this section.