power of the purse

Cultural  

1. The influence that legislatures have over public policy because of their power to vote money for public purposes. The United States Congress must authorize the president's budget requests to fund agencies and programs of the executive branch. (See appropriation.)

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Example Sentences

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power of the purse

Article 1 of the Constitution gives the power of the purse to Congress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025

That is Article I, Section 9—the bedrock of Congress’s power of the purse.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2025

Constitutionally and by custom, Congress has the power of the purse.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2025

“The legislature’s power of the purse is the ultimate check on the ... power of the executive.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2025

He chose to fight Claudia with the one weapon he had—the power of the purse.

From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg