President Donald Trump moved to cancel nearly $1 billion in federal spending approved by Congress, the White House announced late Friday. This action marks the second time the administration has employed a rarely used "pocket rescission" tactic, which some lawmakers from both parties deem illegal.
The White House stated it would claw back $567 million allocated for services benefiting refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants through the Department of Health and Human Services. An additional $50 million was targeted from various other programs that support immigrants and noncitizens.
Further cuts include $70 million from "Woke International Education" grants and fellowships, alongside $56 million from programs managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These actions reflect the President's commitment to reducing expenditures.
"President Trump is committed to utilizing all possible tools to cut wasteful and harmful government spending that does not benefit American citizens," the White House said. The administration described its maneuver as a "pocket rescission," where the president informs Congress just before the fiscal year concludes that he will not spend appropriated funds.
This controversial mechanism operates under the Impoundment Control Act, which allows the president to propose budget rescissions that Congress then has 45 legislative days to approve. However, when such proposals are made late in the fiscal year, the funds can be effectively withheld until their expiration. The current fiscal year ends on Wednesday.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a strong rebuke of the latest pocket rescission. Collins stated that lawmakers were informed of $810 million in pocket rescissions "without warning or consultation."
Sen. Collins further asserted that the White House's Office of Management and Budget "intentionally withheld these funds for months to execute this unlawful cancellation of appropriations that were approved on a bipartisan basis and signed into law." She noted that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has previously ruled pocket rescissions illegal.
"Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law," said Collins, who is seeking reelection this year and has frequently criticized pocket rescissions. She added that she plans to collaborate with colleagues to address these "illegal actions."
On the Democratic side, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the move. DeLauro said the Trump administration is "once again trying to steal more money promised to communities across the country."
This marks the second instance of President Trump employing a pocket rescission during his current term, and the second such action overall in 50 years. The administration previously used this tactic last year to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid funds, marking the first pocket rescission since 1977, under the Carter administration.
Since returning to office last year, President Trump has consistently sought to halt spending on programs that do not align with his administration's policy priorities. These efforts have frequently resulted in legal challenges, including lawsuits filed by organizations and businesses that receive funding for foreign aid projects following last year's rescissions.
The current action highlights an ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative branches over spending authority. By withholding funds until the fiscal year's end, the administration effectively bypasses congressional approval mechanisms designed to oversee federal expenditures.
