2 U.S.C. § 481 — Authorization of appropriations; availability of appropriations

(a) This section lets Congress appropriate money from the Treasury to "the Office" so it can carry out its powers and duties. For the two fiscal years ending June 30, 1973, and June 30, 1974, combined, that appropriation could not be more than $5,000,000. For every year after that, Congress may appropriate "such sums as may be necessary" — meaning there is no fixed dollar cap. (b) Money appropriated under subsection (a) stays available for spending, for obligating (committing to spend), or for both, for whatever period the specific appropriations law providing the money says it stays available.