re: "Conservatives" agree to new entitlement program costing hundreds of millions per year

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Funding sources do not make something an entitlement.

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No they don't, but being discretionary spending does. Entitlements are appropriations government is required to make by statute. This bill does not make the appropriation mandatory.

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You are correct. Indeed, the bill sponsors are making a big deal out of the fact that the bill clearly states the program is "subject to appropriation."

However, it's worth considering that this bill, despite being 'subject to appropriation, 'could effectively function like an entitlement.

Look at TOPS. Once income caps were removed, they became untouchable except for one year when the budget was very tight. Now, TOPS (which I support, BTW) is is essentially a de facto entitlement.

Similarly, once the ESA toothpaste is out of the tube, it ain't going back in.