Trump blocks $4.9 billion in foreign aid using rarely used budget move

The president is relying on what is known as a “pocket rescission.” Under this rule, if a president asks Congress to cancel spending near the end of the financial year, lawmakers may not have enough time to respond within the 45 days set by law, meaning the money is left unused. The current fiscal year ends in September.

Pushback in Congress

Senator Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticised the move. She said: “Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law.” Collins added that the proper way to reduce spending was through the normal bipartisan budget process.

Democrats also objected strongly. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s action showed Republicans were unwilling to work together on funding negotiations. “Today’s announcement … is further proof President Trump and congressional Republicans are hellbent on rejecting bipartisanship and going it alone this fall,” Schumer said, according to AP.

Legal questions

The US Government Accountability Office has already said that using a “pocket rescission” in this way is not legal, since it bypasses Congress’s constitutional power to control spending.

Despite that, the White House has moved ahead, raising tensions with lawmakers as they prepare for difficult talks to avoid a possible government shutdown at the end of September.

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