Which statement best describes continuing resolutions’ spending limits?

Which statement best describes continuing resolutions’ spending limits?

• A. It must not exceed current year spending
• B. It must not exceed prior year spending
• C. It must not exceed prior year spending relative to available funding
• D. It must be approved by both Houses

Answer: (C)

Continuing resolutions keep agencies funded when regular appropriations aren’t in place. The spending authority under a CR is generally tied to what was enacted in the prior year, but it is constrained by what funds are actually available for obligation at the moment. So, the cap is that spending must not exceed prior year levels relative to the funds available. This captures the idea that you can’t spend more than what was approved and is currently accessible, even if current-year needs or requests might suggest more. The other statements either misstate the baseline (not just current-year spending), or ignore the funding-availability aspect, or mix in a procedural requirement rather than the spending limit itself.

Continuing resolutions keep agencies funded when regular appropriations aren’t in place. The spending authority under a CR is generally tied to what was enacted in the prior year, but it is constrained by what funds are actually available for obligation at the moment. So, the cap is that spending must not exceed prior year levels relative to the funds available. This captures the idea that you can’t spend more than what was approved and is currently accessible, even if current-year needs or requests might suggest more. The other statements either misstate the baseline (not just current-year spending), or ignore the funding-availability aspect, or mix in a procedural requirement rather than the spending limit itself.