C. Spending

Congress is responsible for authorizing all spending on behalf of the government. All spending bills must originate in the House of Representatives. Neither the legislature nor the executive may have discretion over spending. Congress may not delegate this power.

Artificial limits like debt ceilings are not permitted. Congressional authorization of spending requires either provisions in the authorizing bill or a separate act to pause, suspend, or repeal.

As I noted with taxation, in the United States, Congress holds the power of the purse. Taxation was one-half of that picture; spending is the other. And also as was true with taxation, spending affects the people, so the decision to spend (or not) must begin with those elected directly by the people – the House of Representatives.

Congress has the sole authority over spending under this Charter. The language here is precise. Congress authorizes spending. Neither the President nor the courts can adjust, withhold, or redirect it – those decisions remain with Congress. Not only that, but Congress can’t delegate those decisions, either.

Broad “fiscal cliffs” or “debt ceilings” or other similar measures only lead to grandstanding and threats to the nation’s credit. Those threats harm the people, plain and simple. They also create false narratives cynically designed to divide the public and distract from genuine financial stewardship. That’s why this Charter prohibits them. Once Congress has approved spending, it is approved. Nothing prevents pauses or suspensions in expenditures, or even spending cuts. They can be enacted into law as specific provisions in the authorizing bill. They can be formally repealed, paused, or suspended as a separate bill if Congress sees the need.