[Page H285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

            By Mrs. LOWEY:
        H.R. 268.
        Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The principal constitutional authority for this legislation 
     is clause 7 of section 9 of article I of the Constitution of 
     the United States (the appropriation power), which states:
       ``No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 
     Consequence of Appropriations made by Law . . . .''
       In addition, clause 1 of section 8 of article I of the 
     Constitution (the spending power) provides:
       ``The Congress shall have the Power . . . to pay the Debts 
     and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the 
     United States . . .''
       Together, these specific constitutional provisions 
     establish the congressional power of the purse, granting 
     Congress the authority to appropriate funds, to determine 
     their purpose, amount, and period of availability, and to set 
     forth terms and conditions governing their use.