President Donald Trump has notified congressional leaders that he is canceling nearly $1 billion in spending that Congress previously approved, the White House said, a move the administration described as a rescission of specific program funds.
The White House action to cancel the funds was announced Friday and targets budgeted amounts across immigration services, support to foreign countries, education programs and health research, according to reporting by Politico that cites administration details.
CBS News reported the move marks the second time the Trump administration has used the rarely employed rescission or “clawback” authority to pull back funds after Congress approved them, and that some lawmakers called the action unlawful.
Administration officials framed the step as part of broader spending priorities in President Donald Trump’s fiscal approach, saying the rescinded amounts are drawn from specific accounts rather than an across-the-board freeze, Politico reported.
Lawmakers from both parties reacted swiftly in media coverage, with some members promising oversight and legal challenges, CBC and other outlets reported. The reports say congressional offices were notified but that rescissions typically face review or pushback from appropriators.
Experts and analysts told outlets the rescission authority is seldom used and its legality can be contested in court or by Congress, which controls appropriations; CBS and CBC noted the political and procedural friction this step is likely to create.
Sources
- Politico — described which programs the rescission targets and summarized the White House presentation of the action.
- CBS News — reported this is the administration’s second use of the rare rescission authority and covered lawmakers’ reactions.
- CBC — noted congressional pushback and provided additional context on how rescissions have been handled.
