Boyle Statement on GAO Finding Trump Continues to Violate Impoundment Control Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a legal opinion finding that President Trump has continued withholding Congressionally authorized funds in violation of federal law. In today’s decision, GAO found that the Trump administration illegally restricted funds for the Head Start Program.

“Today’s legal opinion from the nonpartisan GAO reaffirms a simple truth: the power of the purse belongs to Congress, not the President. By blocking these investments, the Trump administration broke the law and denied communities the funding they need to create jobs, grow their economies, and support working families.

I will keep fighting to protect Congress’s constitutional authority and ensure our communities get the funding they have been promised.”

Background:

The Head Start Program helps over 750,000 children across the United States get the education and support they need to thrive. Over the last 60 years, Head Start has helped more than 40 million children.

A letter from Ranking Member Boyle and Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Merkley requesting a GAO investigation into the Trump administration’s illegal funding freezes can be found here.

An impoundment explainer from Budget Committee Democrats is available here.

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