Trump initiates pocket rescission to cancel nearly $1 billion in spending

…Susan Collins of Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Collins said the administration acted without warning or consultation and accused the Office of Management and Budget of exceeding its authority. “ Not only is the delay itself an impoundment that was not reported to Congress, but also it is a usurpation of Congress’s appropriations powers ,” Collins said. She said she would work with colleagues to address what she described as “illegal actions.” Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the action…

…Collins said. She said she would work with colleagues to address what she described as “illegal actions.” Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the action “ theft from the American people. ” Murray argued that the funds were approved by Congress on a bipartisan basis and should be spent as lawmakers intended. The White House, meanwhile, maintains that the president is using authority available under the…