Money Monitor
Congressman Culberson is a fiscal conservative, and has consistently voted to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. In the 112th Congress, Culberson has voted to reduce:
Types of Spending:
- Authorization: An authorization (otherwise known as “discretionary spending”) explicitly allows, but does not actually provide, funding for a certain program, and/or directs a federal agency to take a certain action. Authorizations express the House’s intent to spend, however, actual funding is provided through the annual appropriations process. Think of an authorization like your credit card’s credit limit. If it’s $10,000, that doesn’t mean you’ve spent $10,000, but it does mean that you’re allowed to spend $10,000. Further action by you is needed for the money to actually be spent.
- Mandatory Spending: Mandatory spending (otherwise known as “direct spending”) directly provides for funding. No subsequent action is required for the money to be spent. Think of mandatory spending like signing up for an automatic-bill-payment program. The very act of signing up provides for the payments from your credit card or bank account without further action from you.
- Revenue: Revenue refers to the amount of money that the federal government receives in taxes, fees, sales of property, and other sources of incoming funds. Think of revenue like the income from your job, the sale of your car, etc. Note: not all revenues are taxes.
Costs of bills before the House this Congress:
What the Proposed Tax Increases Mean to District 7 in 2013 if Congress fails to act
