Which of the following is a responsibility of Congress?

• A. Declare war
• B. Appropriate funds for military/foreign affairs
• C. Advise and consent on treaties/appointments (Senate)
• D. Regulate armed forces

Answer: (B)

Congress exercises national security authority primarily through the power of the purse—the ability to appropriate funds for the military and foreign affairs. Money is the practical engine that makes policy possible: it pays for troops, equipment, missions, diplomacy, and international programs. By deciding how much to fund and under what conditions, Congress directly shapes what actions can be undertaken, how they’re carried out, and how sustainable they are over time. This budgeting power gives Congress ongoing oversight and influence over national security policy, making funding for military and foreign affairs the most direct and fundamental responsibility.

Other actions exist in theory—declaring war, advising and consenting on treaties and appointments, and regulating the armed forces—but these operate in different ways or are more specific in scope. The funding decision, by contrast, directly enables or limits all national security activities and is the clearest lever Congress uses to influence policy.