White House moves to recover $810 million in approved Congressional funds

The White House has announced plans to recover approximately $810 million in funds previously approved by the U.S. Congress. This budgetary maneuver, announced near the end of the fiscal year, aims to freeze or cancel resources that had already passed through the legislative budgetary process.

The decision impacts several sectors, including $567 million from the Department of Health and Human Services intended for migrant and refugee assistance, $70 million for international educational scholarships, and $56 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The administration is utilizing a tactic where requests for resource cancellation are submitted so close to the fiscal year-end that the 45-day congressional review period expires without a vote, effectively freezing the funds. This move has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, including Senate Budget Committee Chair Susan Collins, who characterized the action as an illegal usurpation of Congressional authority and a violation of the constitutional power of the purse.