obligational authority

noun

1. the necessary authority that precedes budget spending by a government agency or department, granted by Congress through appropriations.

Example Sentences

This is the Congress’ weak attempt to sidestep the cold truth that it no longer works for each of the military departments to receive roughly one-third of the “total obligational authority” for the development and purchase of weapons.

From US News

"Total obligational authority," the Pentagon's right to sign contracts for future spending, would leap to $258 billion, a 13.2% inflation-adjusted rise.

From Time Magazine Archive

The immediate issue was a $25 billion weapons-procurement authorization bill�part of the $104.7 billion "total obligational authority" requested by the Defense Department.

From Time Magazine Archive

Actually, the Pentagon is asking for $104.7 billion in "total obligational authority" so that it can sign contracts for weapons or research and development to be delivered in four or five years.

From Time Magazine Archive

It will call for new obligational authority of $103.8 billion �a reduction of more than $4 billion below last year's request of $107.9 billion.

From Time Magazine Archive