Trump administration cancels nearly $1 billion in congressionally approved funding
What happened
The Trump administration announced on Friday that it is unilaterally canceling nearly $1 billion in federal spending that had been previously approved by Congress.
The canceled funds were designated for immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives.
The administration is utilizing a budget maneuver referred to as a "pocket rescission" to execute these cuts.
Why it matters
The move has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Susan Collins, who have characterized the action as an unlawful violation of congressional funding authority.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has stated that the "pocket rescission" maneuver is illegal and that the President lacks the authority to cancel more than $800 million in congressionally approved spending.
Context
The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 governs the role of Congress in the federal budget process.
The GAO is a federal agency within the legislative branch that serves as a congressional watchdog, providing auditing and investigative services.
Sources 6 sources
This briefing cites 4 publishers across 4 detected independent reporting streams.
- Daily Press Trump administration uses rare authority to claw back nearly $1B in spending approved by Congress
- Google News Lawmakers slam Trump’s ‘unlawful’ move to cut $810 million in federal funds - NBC News
- Memeorandum Trump declares $1B canceled in 'pocket rescission' in another affront to Congress' funding power (Politico)
- News Herald Watchdog says Trump can’t cancel more than $800M in spending approved by Congress
- Wikipedia Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 Background reference · Wikipedia text used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Wikipedia United States Government Accountability Office Background reference · Wikipedia text used under CC BY-SA 4.0.