FACT SHEET: Trump’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Scheme to Withhold Funding Headed to Communities Across America
Senator Murray details how Trump wants to illegally override Congress’ spending decisions and hold up investments for the American people
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a fact sheet on the sweeping executive orders Trump signed this week directing agencies to immediately withhold funding that was provided by Congress and signed into law. The fact sheet details how presidents lack power to unilaterally override spending laws and deny enacted funding to communities through what’s known as impoundment.
*** READ THE FACT SHEET HERE ***
In a statement, Senator Murray said:
“On day one, Trump made crystal clear he has every intention of ignoring federal law—and our Constitution—to block investments that Congress has delivered for communities across the country. Make no mistake: if Trump goes ahead and holds up funding that has been signed into law, it won’t just be illegal—it will hurt families, halt projects to rebuild America’s roads and bridges, kill good-paying new jobs, and so much more. What’s happening here should be alarming to anyone who cares about the separation of powers clearly laid out in our Constitution. Congress—not the president—has the power of the purse.
“It doesn’t matter how presidents feel about the law—it matters what the law is. I am going to stand up for the Constitution, and I have no intention of backing down. My team and I are closely following Trump’s moves to rip away funding that was provided by Congress—and signed into law—for the American people. I hope my Republican colleagues join me in calling out all egregious attempts to override our spending laws and deny families in red and blue communities alike the resources we have secured for them.”
On Wednesday, Senator Murray pressed Russ Vought, Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, on whether he would, as OMB Director, simply follow the law and ensure funding Congress passed makes it to the families and communities it intended. Vought repeatedly refused to commit to following the law and our Constitution—despite admitting that no court in the land has ever found the Impoundment Control Act to be unconstitutional. Senator Murray also joined colleagues in calling out Vought’s extremism and urging the Senate to reject his nomination.
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