Trump cancels nearly $1 billion in spending approved by Congress — CBC World
US President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of nearly $1 billion in spending previously approved by Congress. The White House used a rare and controversial mechanism known as a “pocket rescission” to halt funding for immigrant services and diversity-related initiatives.
Cuts to immigrant assistance programs
According to CBC World, the Office of Management and Budget described the cuts as targeting the “most wasteful government spending.” Most of the canceled funding concerns services for immigrants, including nonprofit organizations working with refugees and unaccompanied minors accused of being in the United States illegally.
The Trump administration says the funds are no longer needed because of a substantial decrease in illegal border crossings. The White House statement also said that some of the organizations are led by people who worked in the administration of former President Barack Obama.
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Objections in the Senate
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Republican Susan Collins, condemned the decision. She said the administration acted without prior notice or consultation and that she would work with colleagues on a response to what she called unlawful actions. Collins said the Office of Management and Budget cannot independently determine which programs deserve funding.
Normally, Congress can consider spending cuts proposed by the president before they take effect. However, this decision was announced five days before the end of the federal fiscal year. The US Government Accountability Office, an independent nonpartisan watchdog that works for Congress, considers the “pocket rescission” mechanism unlawful.
A year earlier, Trump used this mechanism for the first time in 50 years, blocking $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid. The US Supreme Court then declined to block the rescission, noting the significance of presidential powers in foreign policy. This time, the decision concerns domestic spending.
