It immediately became apparent, however, that although Congress had authorized the expenditure of $250,000 for Memorial Amphitheater, it had not actually appropriated any such funds from the U.S. Treasury.

But the newcomers will have many more chances to make their case before money is actually appropriated, and they will be arguing, as Ms. Dunn did today at a news conference, that Congress should accept President Clinton's challenge to match his budget-cutting efforts.

President Clinton signed the law in August, but only about $20 million was actually appropriated.

Then, too, they complain that the project was never authorized by Congress as part of Amtrak's budget, as all Federal money is supposed to be before it is actually appropriated in individual spending bills.

If the $3.9 billion that the American forces believe they need is actually appropriated, it would bring the total amount spent simply on training and equipping the Iraqi Army and the police to about $15 billion.

In 1913, the Montana State Legislature approved the establishment of the Northern Montana Agricultural and Manual Training School at Fort Assinniboine, six miles southwest of Havre, but no money was actually appropriated.

The disputed language stated that the public could continue to use the premises "until the same shall have been actually appropriated . . .for the beneficial enjoyment of the same by the adjacent owner."

Congress has actually appropriated only the first $40.6 million, covering intial construction for two years; a $19.6 million contract has been awarded to Weeks Marine Inc. of Cranford for the first three miles.

However, less than 10 percent of that was actually appropriated.

Senators John McCain and Charles Grassley, Republican critics of the subsidies, are right to promise that before funds are actually appropriated next year they will insist that the Defense Department justify the expense.