The White House announced Friday that President Donald Trump is seeking to rescind $810 million in federal funding that Congress had previously approved. The move targets programs across several federal agencies, including funding connected to refugee and immigrant services, education, housing and Justice Department programs.
What Happened
The administration is using a budget process known as a “pocket rescission,” under which a president asks Congress to cancel previously approved funding near the end of the fiscal year. The White House said the targeted money represents spending it considers harmful or unnecessary.
According to ABC News, the largest portion is $567 million from the Department of Health and Human Services. Other affected programs are spread across the Departments of Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice and Commerce, as well as international assistance programs.
Why It Matters
The timing is central to the dispute. The fiscal year is approaching its September 30 end, leaving Congress little time to consider the request. The Government Accountability Office has raised legal concerns about using a pocket rescission in a way that prevents Congress from fully exercising its authority over federal spending.
Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the move a violation of the law and said Congress received the rescission package without warning or consultation.
What We Know
- The White House announced more than $800 million in proposed rescissions, with the package totaling $810 million according to ABC News.
- The funding covers programs at multiple federal agencies.
- The administration says the targeted spending is harmful or no longer necessary.
- Collins disputes the legality of canceling the appropriated funds without congressional approval.
- The Guardian reported the total as nearly $1 billion, while ABC News reported the specific package as $810 million.
The Bottom Line
The dispute is not only about which programs would lose funding. It also concerns how far the executive branch can go in withholding money that Congress has already approved, particularly when the fiscal year is close to ending.
Sources: NBC News | ABC News | The Guardian