Boyle and Merkley Call for GAO Investigation into Trump Administration’s Funding Freezes
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, announced they have formally requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate several funding suspensions ordered by President Trump to determine their legality under the Impoundment Control Act. This request is especially urgent given the White House’s unlawful removal of public records of apportionment—official documents detailing how federal funds approved by Congress are allocated and spent—from its website, severely limiting transparency and undermining congressional oversight authority.
“The Constitution clearly grants Congress—not the President—the power of the purse,” said Congressman Boyle. “With extremists like Elon Musk and Russell Vought actively undermining this principle, Congress must vigorously defend its constitutional authority. The administration’s withholding of critical investments harms American communities that rely on these funds for jobs, economic stability, and essential infrastructure. Robust congressional oversight, alongside litigation, is vital to protecting the interests of the American people.”
“The President is not a king, and laws are not suggestions,” said Senator Merkley. “The Trump Administration’s order to halt any federal investments, duly appropriated by Congress, violates Congress’s Constitutional powers. Unilaterally impounding funds is illegal, and Donald Trump and Russ Vought are trying to gut the federal government piece by piece. GAO must get to the bottom of this and reiterate to the administration that Congress has the power of the purse, not Trump and Vought.”
In their letter to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Boyle and Merkley expressed deep concerns regarding the Trump Administration’s recent directives freezing critical federal funding. Specifically, they cited President Trump’s January 20, 2025, executive order to pause U.S. foreign development assistance, the suspension of funding appropriated by both the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the recent March 3, 2025, suspension of military assistance to Ukraine.
Federal courts have already ruled that the Trump Administration violated federal law by withholding congressionally appropriated funds without proper authorization. Boyle and Merkley’s request to GAO builds on these rulings, underscoring Congress’ responsibility to exercise its constitutional oversight powers and prevent executive overreach.
The Impoundment Control Act explicitly restricts the President’s authority to withhold or delay funds, requiring transparency and timely notification to Congress whenever budget authority is withheld or proposed for withholding. Boyle and Merkley’s request aims to ensure the Administration fully complies with the law and respects the separation of powers.
The full Boyle-Merkley letter to GAO can be viewed here.
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