 House approves initial look at high speed NYC <-> DC train
On Jun 22, 10:08 am, Peter Schleifer <pschl...@speakeasy.org> wrote:
> On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:54:15 -0700 (PDT), "Peter T. Daniels"
>
> <gramma...@> wrote:
> >On Jun 21, 8:18 pm, Stephen Sprunk <step...@sprunk.org> wrote:
> >> Anna.Marek6...@ wrote:
> >> Appropriations, though, are another matter; I'm glad this reporter
> >> actually mentioned that. Historically, Amtrak has only gotten about
> >> half what was authorized, which would mean a continuation of the status
> >> quo if it happens again.
>
> >SCOTUS ruled against the line-item veto quite a while ago. Howcome no
> >one challenges the withholding of appropriations?
>
> The authorization sets a goal over several years. It is then up to
> Congress to appropriate each year. There is no obligation to
> appropriate as much as the authorization. Historically, the annual
> appropriations for Amtrak have been much less than the authorized
> amount. No appropriations are being withheld, there is no
> constitutional issue here.
I'm not referring specifically to Amtrak. By what authority can the
Executive decline to spend the funds authorized and appropriated by
the Legislature?
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