Trump Moves to Cut $4.9 Billion in Foreign Aid Without Congress’s Approval
The Trump administration said it is using an untested strategy to rescind $4.9 billion in foreign aid without congressional approval, sparking a backlash on Capitol Hill and setting the stage for a messy and potentially market-rattling month ahead of a deadline for avoiding a government shutdown.
In a letter to congressional leadership, President Trump said that he wanted to rescind funds from the State Department, international-assistance programs and the U.S. Agency for International Development—using his authority under the Impoundment Control Act, which gives the White House power to pause spending only in limited circumstances.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine—the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee who has sparred regularly with the White House on spending—said the move by the White House is an apparent attempt to bypass Congress. She said “any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law.”
Recall what Collins said back when Trump got impeached the first time? Here's a reminder: I am not going to vote to convict, because he learned his lesson. 😂
The real motivation here may be Trump's move to sideline the GOP and take control of the negotiations to fund the government.
In a letter to congressional leadership, President Trump said that he wanted to rescind funds from the State Department, international-assistance programs and the U.S. Agency for International Development—using his authority under the Impoundment Control Act, which gives the White House power to pause spending only in limited circumstances.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine—the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee who has sparred regularly with the White House on spending—said the move by the White House is an apparent attempt to bypass Congress. She said “any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law.”
Recall what Collins said back when Trump got impeached the first time? Here's a reminder: I am not going to vote to convict, because he learned his lesson. 😂
The real motivation here may be Trump's move to sideline the GOP and take control of the negotiations to fund the government.
