power of the purse

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.)

Example Sentences

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

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The framers gave legislators the power of the purse to ensure the president couldn’t acquire the dictatorial powers of a king.

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Lawmakers should use their clearest constitutional power over the military: the power of the purse.

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If Congress opposes a military action, it can use its power of the purse to cut off funding for the conflict.

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But the power of the purse still belongs to Congress and can’t simply be wished away with the words “foreign policy.”

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