Boyle Statement on GAO Reaffirming So-Called “Pocket Rescissions” Are Illegal

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) reaffirmed that so-called “pocket rescissions” are illegal under the Impoundment Control Act:

“Once again, the nonpartisan GAO has made it clear that no matter what Russell Vought or Donald Trump believe, presidents cannot use back-door schemes like so-called ‘pocket rescissions’ to defy the Constitution and block funding Congress already approved.

GAO has found that Trump has repeatedly broken the law and abused his power. If Republicans keep letting Trump and his cronies hijack Americans’ tax dollars, it will only get worse. That’s why I led every Budget Democrat to introduce the Congressional Power of the Purse Act: to strengthen Congress’ authority and stop Trump from gutting the services families depend on.”

The nonpartisan GAO has repeatedly found that the Trump administration illegally blocked critical investments, ranging from lifesaving medical research to child care programs. Last month, Boyle slammed the administration after it announced an unlawful so-called “pocket rescission” of foreign aid funding that Congress already approved.

A fact sheet on so-called “pocket rescissions” is available here. For more on how Ranking Member Boyle and Budget Committee Democrats are fighting back, visit our Power of the Purse resource page.

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