What term describes categories of funds used by Congress to finance the president's budget?

The term that specifically refers to the categories of funds used by Congress to finance the president's budget is "appropriation codes." Appropriation codes are used during the budgeting process to delineate how much money is allocated to various departments and programs within the federal government. These codes play a crucial role in ensuring that funds are designated for specific purposes, aligning with legislative priorities and intents. Understanding appropriation codes is essential for tracking federal spending and ensuring accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Other options, while they may relate to budgeting or financial management, do not specifically designate the structured and formalized system that appropriation codes represent in the context of congressional funding of the president's budget. Budget allocations refer broadly to the distribution of financial resources but do not capture the formal categorization aspect. Expenditure accounts typically relate to how funds are spent rather than the categorization for budgeting. Funding categories also lack the specificity and formal definition associated with appropriation codes in the legislative context.