The Trump administration is engaging in a contentious move to cut $5 billion in foreign aid through a pocket rescission.
According to BBC News, this plan challenges congressional authority and may prompt legal action while disrupting conventional budget processes.
The administration aims to cancel these funds close to the end of the fiscal year, a tactic not used in nearly five decades. Proposed by the White House Office of Management and Budget and announced via social media, the rescission targets $3 billion for USAID and $900 million for the State Department. Additional reductions include $800 million allocated for international peacekeeping and over $300 million designated for promoting democracy abroad.
Executed under the Impoundment Control Act, a pocket rescission allows withholding of funds approved by Congress. However, legal analysts and some lawmakers argue this circumvents Congress's exclusive budgetary powers. The Government Accountability Office has questioned the legality of pocket rescissions, suggesting a potential conflict with constitutional provisions.
The practice of pocket rescission has historically been rare. The last instance occurred during President Jimmy Carter's administration in 1977, emphasizing the unconventional nature of this recent attempt. The intended cuts come as the fiscal year end approaches on September 30, placing Congress under a tight deadline to respond within 45 days.
Senator Susan Collins has voiced criticism, stressing that the Constitution empowers Congress with fiscal responsibility. She described any effort to retract funds without legislative approval as a violation of constitutional law. Senator Collins also emphasized a preference for seeking budget reductions through the regular, bipartisan appropriations process.
Senator Susan Collins: "The Constitution makes clear that Congress has the responsibility for the power of the purse and any effort to claw back funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law."
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also expressed concerns about this approach. He warned that such actions could result in a federal government shutdown, which he deemed unnecessary and painful. The warning indicates broader apprehension within the legislative branch about potential disruptions.
The Trump administration has previously reduced foreign aid and limited USAID operations. This attempt to exercise a pocket rescission aligns with President Trump's prior budgetary strategies. The White House maintains that these cuts are part of a broader initiative to streamline government spending.
A statement from the administration declares their intention to trim government expenses and eliminate programs considered excessive or misaligned with national priorities. While the administration champions fiscal prudence, critics view the approach as bypassing established legislative protocols.
"The Trump Administration is committed to getting America's fiscal house in order by cutting government spending that is woke, weaponised, and wasteful," the White House said in a statement.
As the fiscal year end looms, the proposed rescission places Congress in a challenging position to act swiftly. With only a brief window to decide, lawmakers are under pressure to address both constitutional questions and practical implications of the proposed aid cuts.
This budgetary maneuver by the Trump administration seeks to claw back $5 billion in foreign aid through a rarely used pocket rescission, sparking legal and legislative concerns.
