Senator Susan Collins challenges Trump administration's $810 million spending rescission

Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has labeled a recent $810 million spending cancellation by the Trump administration as unlawful. The administration is utilizing a tactic known as a “pocket rescission,” which allows funds to expire before Congress can vote on a request to rescind them. This move comes just days before the end of the federal fiscal year.

Approximately $600 million of the package involves funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Key affected areas include $567.4 million from the Refugee and Entrant Assistance account, $27.7 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and $5.1 million from the Office of Minority Health. The White House argued that the refugee funds are “overfunded due to the Administration’s successful border policies” and claimed the Office of Minority Health funding violates anti-DEI executive orders.

Collins stated that any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a “clear violation of the law” and is considering legal action. She has indicated she will again ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to file a lawsuit to stop the maneuver. This marks the second year of such disputes, following a previous instance where the administration withheld $4.9 billion in approved spending.