President Donald Trump told Congress on Friday that he has canceled nearly $1 billion in federal funding through a “pocket rescission,” taking another aggressive step to rein in government spending without first securing lawmakers’ approval.
Read more Supreme Court Clears Trump Administration to Expand Voter Citizenship Checks
The funding targeted by Trump includes money for immigration services, foreign assistance, education programs, health research and programs assisting minority-owned businesses.
The White House Office of Management and Budget said the action targets “the most harmful government spending.” Much of the funding is tied to Health and Human Services programs serving refugees and unaccompanied minors in the country illegally. A Department of Education program serving migrant and foreign students is also among the major targets.
Under federal law, a president can ask Congress to rescind previously approved spending and withhold the funds for 45 days while lawmakers consider the request. Trump’s use of a pocket rescission attempts to cancel the funding without obtaining congressional approval, setting up likely legal challenges.
Read more Smash the Patriarchy
The move drew criticism from Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who accused the administration of exceeding its authority and bypassing Congress.
“Not only is the delay itself an impoundment that was not reported to Congress, but also it is a usurpation of Congress’s appropriations powers,” Collins said. “OMB is an agency of the executive branch. It does not get to decide which programs are worth funding.”
Trump previously clawed back $9 billion in federal spending last year. Unlike Friday’s action, those cuts received congressional approval through a rescission package.
Read more Ed Sheeran Learns Hard Woke Lesson
