White House Rescinds Over $800 Million in Funds, Drawing Criticism

The White House announced Friday evening that it was rescinding over $800 million in congressionally appropriated funds across a range of government programs. The move has drawn criticism from at least one GOP senator, who called it a violation of law.

President Donald Trump invoked authority under the Impoundment Control Act to implement a "pocket rescission," a maneuver that allows the president to request Congress cancel funds as the fiscal year nears its end. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress has 45 days to respond to such requests. If insufficient time is given for consideration or for the funds to be used before they expire, the president may be seen as bypassing congressional authority over government funding.

The Supreme Court previously allowed a similar rescission of foreign aid funds, though it noted that decision was not a final determination on the legality of such actions.

The latest rescissions target programs across several federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Justice. The administration cited concerns that funds were allocated to "pro-illegal immigration programs" and organizations providing services to non-citizens, which they claimed put unaccompanied children at risk. Funds were also flagged for programs within the Department of Homeland Security that allegedly provided welfare to undocumented immigrants.

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the move, stating it attempts to "undermine Congress's Constitutional power of the purse" and violates the law. Collins asserted that the GAO has previously concluded pocket rescissions are unlawful. She alleged that the Office of Management and Budget withheld these funds for months before issuing the cancellation, preventing bipartisan approval and legislative enactment.

"OMB is an agency of the executive branch. It does not get to decide which programs are worth funding," Collins said, vowing to work with colleagues to address the actions.