FY23 Appropriations explainer

Last updated July 12, 2022

Author: Ross Brennan, Senior Legislative Associate (ross@progressivecaucuscenter.org)

The FY23 appropriations debate occurs as the U.S. continues to respond to inflation due to supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, among other issues. It also marks the second year since 2012 that appropriations will not be subject to discretionary spending caps following the expiration of the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 and subsequent budget agreements. In addition, this appropriations cycle continues  the use of congressionally-directed spending (often referred to as earmarks), with certain conditions.

This explainer covers the basics of the appropriations process, notes options for increasing spending, and reviews select policy riders that Congress has attached to previous appropriations bills.