Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (Red Book)

GAO's Principles of Federal Appropriations Law serves as a detailed fiscal law guide covering those areas of law in which the Comptroller General renders decisions. The Red Book describes existing legal authorities to illustrate the principles discussed, their application, and exceptions.

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Third Edition

Volume I, January 2004 (PDF, 640 pages)

Volume II, February 2006 (PDF, 727 pages)

Annual Update of the Third Edition (Volumes I and II), March 2009 (PDF, 134 pages)

Index and Table of Authorities (Volumes I and II), October 2006 (PDF, 231 pages)

Interactive Index and Table of Authorities (Volumes I and II)

Volume III, September 2008 (PDF, 898 pages) – (Interactive version and Index available late Spring 2009); replaces Volume IV, Second Edition

Second Edition

Volume III, November 1994 (PDF, 611 pages) – no longer updated since topics covered are no longer GAO’s responsibility 

Volume V, April 2002 (PDF, 436 pages) – Index and Table of Authorities for Second Edition; use to research Volume III, Second Edition