Boyle Statement After Nonpartisan GAO Confirms Trump’s Pocket Rescission Is Illegal

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement after the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Trump Administration’s pocket rescission violated the Impoundment Control Act:

“GAO’s decision is clear: President Trump’s pocket rescission is illegal and subverts Congress’s constitutional power of the purse. No president has the authority to ignore Congress and unilaterally cancel funding that was signed into law.

Congress must pass my Congressional Power of the Purse Act to strengthen the law and protect Congress’s constitutional authority.”

Background:

Boyle’s Congressional Power of the Purse Act would prevent an administration from illegally running out the clock on congressionally approved funding by requiring OMB to release funds at least 90 days before they expire. The legislation would also strengthen enforcement of the Impoundment Control Act and give Congress and GAO stronger tools to stop an administration from illegally withholding funding that Congress has already approved.

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