What does the Anti-Deficiency Act prohibit?

The Anti-Deficiency Act is designed to prevent government agencies from overspending their allocated budget, thereby ensuring fiscal responsibility and adherence to the limits set by Congress. Specifically, it prohibits exceeding the amount of available appropriations, which means that government entities cannot incur obligations or make expenditures that go beyond the budgetary resources that have been allocated to them. This is crucial for maintaining financial discipline in government spending and helps to prevent the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

The act reinforces the principle that government must operate within its means, ensuring accountability towards the public and the proper management of federal resources. By upholding this prohibition, agencies are encouraged to plan and execute their programs effectively within the authorized budget.