Lawmakers Rip Trump Over 'Illegal' Pocket Rescission Move—What We Know
The administration said the "pocket rescission" will cut nearly $1B in what Trump calls "the most harmful government spending."
President Donald Trump's administration announced on Friday that he employed a pocket rescission to eliminate nearly $1 billion in government spending. This move allegedly targets non-citizens, cutting $567 million from Health and Human Services funds and $25 million from educational programs for non-citizens. Additionally, the administration rescinded $15 million from former President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security programs.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine condemned the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for this action, stating that the OMB intentionally withheld funds for months to execute this unlawful cancellation of appropriations approved by Congress. Collins emphasized that pocket rescissions are illegal and violate the Constitution's separation of powers.
The independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) also concluded that pocket rescissions are unlawful and not permitted by the Impoundment Control Act. The White House, however, defended the use of the rescission, highlighting long-neglected presidential authorities under the Impoundment Control Act.
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