White House rejects $810 million

The Trump administration announced Friday it will use pocket rescissions to send back congressionally approved funding affecting programs for immigrants, minorities, and health research.

What are pocket rescissions?

A rare budgetary tactic where the executive branch rejects congressionally allocated spending. Congress has 45 days to accept or reject the decision, but the administration argues this is impossible when less than 45 days remain in the fiscal year.

Timing makes response impossible

The fiscal year ends September 30, just days away. The House won't return until after the November midterm elections, leaving no time for Congress to act within the required 45-day window.

Collins calls move unlawful

Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, a Republican, said the administration intentionally withheld funds for months to execute this illegal cancellation of bipartisan appropriations.

“This move shows that OMB intentionally withheld these funds for months to execute this unlawful cancellation of appropriations.”

Democrats call it theft

Senator Patty Murray called the move a theft from the American people and challenged Republican colleagues to stop what she called an illegal action that makes Congress's votes optional.

“Russ Vought's message to Congress is that your votes don't count, and your laws are optional.”

Largest cut targets refugee aid

The administration proposes rejecting $547 million for Refugee and Entrant Assistance, claiming the program is overfunded due to successful border policies.

Other programs lose funding

Cuts also target the Justice Department's Community Relations Services, housing counseling assistance, international education programs, and HHS research and minority health offices.

Supreme Court backed similar cuts

Trump used pocket rescissions last year to announce 4.9 billion dollars in cuts. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration in September 2025 when those cuts were challenged.

Lawyers say tactic is illegal

The Government Accountability Office wrote that pocket rescissions allow a president to avoid spending money regardless of Congress's approval, effectively changing the law and ceding Congress's power of the purse.

“A pocket rescission could allow a president to avoid spending the money regardless of whether Congress approves the rescission request.”

Reviving a 50-year-old tactic

Pocket rescissions hadn't been used in nearly 50 years until Trump revived them last year. The administration cites the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, passed after President Nixon tried to withhold spending.

Congress approved similar cuts before

In July 2025, Congress itself approved a rescissions package that cut 9 billion dollars for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.