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.)

---

Example Sentences

“The First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power—including the power of the purse—‘to punish or suppress disfavored expression’ by others,” Moss said in the ruling.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Congress has two more traditional and frequently used oversight tools at its disposal: oversight hearings and the power of the purse.

From Salon

But perhaps the most powerful tool that Congress has is its power of the purse, outlined in Article 1 of the Constitution.

From Salon

But Roberts, Gorsuch, and Barrett rejected this contention, particularly when those “affairs” implicate “the core congressional power of the purse.”

From Slate

“It is deflating, and it is unfortunate that Congress is not defending the power of the purse,” said Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser, during Monday’s press conference.

From Los Angeles Times