In July, Congress passed Donald Trump’s $9 billion rescission package, with the president signing it immediately into law.
This legally pulled back a signficant amount of federal funding, with the majority of the cuts hitting USAID.
Trump is now trying to pass a second package, and it is creating havoc on the left as well as with at least one Republican senator.
The first package was borne mostly out of wasteful spending that was uncovered by the Department of Government Efficiency back when Elon Musk was running the enterprise.
Of the $9 billion in cuts, the overwhelming majority were aimed at programs in USAID that were deemed to be partisan in nature, with some possibly funneling money to terror networks.
Legally, once funding has been approved by Congress, the only way it can be cut is through this type of package.
Trump had issued several orders on this front, all of which had been challenged in court.
Trump has been trying to freeze more USAID funding, but the lower courts have been a nightmare.
So, Trump filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to have the disbursements halted.
U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued, "Congress did not upset the delicate interbranch balance by allowing for unlimited, unconstrained private suits.”
He continued, "Any lingering dispute about the proper disposition of funds that the President seeks to rescind shortly before they expire should be left to the political branches, not effectively prejudged by the district court."
Trump is going to the well again, trying to pull back nearly $5 billion more in foreign aid slated for payment.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced the new package on X on Thursday, stating, "Last night, President Trump CANCELED $4.9 billion in America Last foreign aid using a pocket rescission. President Donald Trump will always put AMERICA FIRST!"
Senate Appropriations chair Susan Collins (R-ME) is not thrilled with Trump going this route again, responding, "Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law. Instead of this attempt to undermine the law, the appropriate way is to identify ways to reduce excessive spending through the bipartisan, annual appropriations process. Congress approves rescissions regularly as part of this process."
Collins is in the midst of what will be a difficult defense of her seat, but she will not likely be challenged during the primary season. Now the question will be whether Trump and the RNC will support her in the general election or hang her out to dry and let Democrats flip the seat.
