What is the term for legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency?

• A. Discretionary authority
• B. Authorization legislation
• C. Competitive service
• D. Government by proxy

Answer: (B)

Authorization legislation is Congress granting permission to start or continue a federal program or agency. It spells out what the program is allowed to do, its structure, and often a funding ceiling or other constraints, establishing the program’s authority. But having authorization doesn’t automatically provide money—the actual funding comes later through appropriations. Discretionary authority refers to the latitude agencies have to interpret and implement laws within those authorized limits, not to the initial permission to create a program. Competitive service is about merit-based hiring, and government by proxy describes outsourcing government work to private or other entities. So the term that best fits the idea of legislative permission to begin or continue a program is authorization legislation.