The White House is indicating it might soon utilize a rarely used and legally uncertain power to potentially cancel billions of dollars in federal spending. President Trump's senior advisors are exploring unconventional methods to reshape the budget without explicit Congressional approval.
The emerging plan involves the Trump administration waiting until near the end of the fiscal year, September 30th, to formally request that lawmakers reclaim specific funds targeted for cuts. Even if Congress doesn't vote on the request, the timing would activate a law that freezes the funds until they expire.
This strategy is referred to as a pocket rescission, a power that has been used sparingly in the last fifty years. The Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan oversight body, previously ruled during the first Trump administration that pocket rescission is illegal. This decision was based on Supreme Court precedent, reversing its earlier position that the law might allow for the use of this power.
Russell T. Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has increasingly used this maneuver as a threat to Congress. He has warned that the White House might test the boundaries of its authority to act unilaterally if Congress doesn't expedite its efforts to reduce spending. Vought has also stated that pocket rescission could enable the administration to implement some of the significant cuts identified by the Department of Government Efficiency.
5 Comments
Amatus
The federal government spends too much. This is a necessary step.
BuggaBoom
This is a bold move to get our finances under control. Well done.
Loubianka
This is a blatant power grab! Undermining the checks and balances of our government.
Katchuka
About time someone used some leverage. I'm all for it.
Leonardo
It's about time someone found a way to cut wasteful spending.