Category One

Functions:
Makes funding decisions on every discretionary program in the federal budget.
The chair writes the legislation that allocates federal funds to the numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations on an annual basis.



Purpose:
Appropriations are limited to the levels set by a Budget Resolution, drafted by the Senate Budget Committee. The Committee is responsible for supplemental spending bills, which are sometimes needed in the middle of a fiscal year to compensate for emergency expenses.

Category Two

Chair: Daniel K Inouye
Chair since January 3, 2009

Vice Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi)
co chair since January 3, 2005

ROBERT C. BYRD
West Virginia
Homeland Security (Chairman)

TOM HARKIN
Iowa
Education (Chairman)

PATTY MURRAY
Washington
Transportation/HUD (Chairman)

Category Three

Current bills:



1.House Report 111-220 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies Appropriations Bill, 2010
Summary: Gives money to schools and allows equal opportunity education.



2.Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010
An original bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.