Global
In a new escalation of his dispute with Congress, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday unilaterally moved to block over $800 million in government spending. This targeted funds for immigration, racial minority, and education programs previously approved by Congress. The White House released a statement asserting Trump's commitment to "using all possible tools to cut wasteful and harmful government spending that does not benefit American citizens." It clarified that the reductions encompass programs aiding refugees, supporting minority business development, and preserving the environment overseas. Despite the U.S. Constitution granting Congress spending authority, the White House justified its action by claiming these programs foster illegal immigration, exacerbate racial tensions, and adopt an overly alarmist approach to environmental issues. To execute this, the administration employed a rarely used mechanism known as "rescission" to bypass congressional approval. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, vehemently criticized the decision as "illegal." Collins, a Republican facing a tough re-election bid in Maine, stated this was "the latest attempt by the Office of Management and Budget to undermine Congress' constitutional power over spending." She added: "Any attempt to rescind funds appropriated by Congress without its consent is a clear violation of the law." Notably, the Supreme Court last year refused to prevent Trump from using the same mechanism to withhold $4.9 billion in congressional-approved foreign aid during case review.
