Trump Seeks to Cancel $1 Billion in Funds as 5-Day Pocket Rescission Sparks Clash
Updated
Updated · KOMO News · Sep 26
Trump Seeks to Cancel $1 Billion in Funds as 5-Day Pocket Rescission Sparks Clash
3 articles · Updated · KOMO News · Sep 26
Summary
Five days before the fiscal year ends, Trump moved to cancel nearly $1 billion in congressionally approved spending through a rare “pocket rescission” that could let the money lapse on Sept. 30.
The White House said the cuts target “harmful” programs, including refugee and unaccompanied-minor services, migrant student aid, minority business support, housing counseling and HHS grants.
Specific reductions include $70 million for international education, $28 million in HHS research grants, $10 million from a minority business program and $9 million in climate-linked foreign debt relief.
Susan Collins and Patty Murray called the move unlawful, while the Government Accountability Office and bipartisan appropriators say using pocket rescission to bypass Congress violates its spending authority.
Trump used the tactic last year to block $4.9 billion in foreign aid, but this time the target is domestic spending, setting up a broader fight over White House power in the next funding battle.