FY2022 Appropriations Explainer

Last Updated December 2, 2021

This year’s appropriations debate occurs as the U.S. continues to respond to  the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession. It also marks the first year since 2012 that appropriations will not be subject to discretionary spending caps under the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 and subsequent budget agreements. This appropriations cycle also includes the reinstatement of congressionally-directed spending (i.e., earmarks), with some conditions.

This explainer covers the basics of the appropriations process, provides context on FY2022 budget caps, lays out options for increasing spending, and reviews select policy riders that Congress has attached to previous appropriations bills.