President Donald Trump is seeking to withhold more than $800 million in Congress-approved spending on immigration, race and education, using a rarely used “pocket rescission” that bypasses Congress. Appropriations chair Susan Collins called the move illegal.
The White House said it was using all possible tools to cut spending it called wasteful and harmful. It said the programs supported illegal immigration, stoked racial tensions and promoted alarmist environmental approaches; listed areas included refugee assistance, racial-minority business development and overseas conservation.
Collins said rescinding appropriated funds without congressional approval violates the law and accused the Office of Management and Budget of undermining Congress’s constitutional spending authority. Last year, the Supreme Court declined to block Trump from using the same tactic to withhold $4.9 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress, while litigation continued.
