Trump’s Pocket Rescission Cancels $5 B in Aid—Congress Pushes Back
President Trump directed the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to enact a "pocket rescission", canceling nearly $4.9 billion allocated to USAID and other State Department programs. This move bypasses Congress by invoking a late-fiscal-year budget maneuver.
How the Tactic Works
Under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, presidents can send a rescission request to Congress, which has 45 days to approve or reject it. A pocket rescission is timed so close to the end of the fiscal year that Congress can't act in time—allowing the funds to effectively lapse without legislative approval.
Legal and Political Backlash
The maneuver is stirring sharp criticism from both parties. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemned it as “unlawful,” warning it risks triggering a government shutdown.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called it a clear violation of Congress’s power of the purse, citing GAO rulings that deem such pocket rescissions illegal.
Broader Context & Implications
- This is the first use of a pocket rescission in nearly 50 years, a rarely deployed tool last seen under President Carter.
- Critics argue the administration is steadily eroding Congressional authority over federal spending.
- The timing could severely disrupt ongoing budget negotiations, with the risk of shutting down the government at the end of September.
