President Donald Trump’s push to reduce government spending has some in the capital fearing that his administration won’t spend all the money allocated by Congress, Politico reports.
President Donald Trump’s push to reduce government spending has some in the capital fearing that his administration won’t spend all the money allocated by Congress, Politico reports.
“We’ve seen just too many instances these past few months … where there is clear congressional intent and funds provided, yet an unwillingness or inability to act, ” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has drawn flak for not spending the full $80 million given by Congress to combat propaganda from Russia and terrorist groups.
“This is an extraordinary example of the dysfunction that is ripping through the State Department, ” Brett Bruen, a former U. S. diplomat whose kept in touch with State employees, told Politico earlier this month. “What we’re seeing is a small group of people with very thin knowledge making all the decisions in a very centralized and isolated process. It causes unnecessary delays and confusion.”
Trump also has yet to fill almost 400 federal jobs that need Senate confirmation, leaving some to speculate that he might plan on never filling them.
If the administration does try to avoid spending all the money its been allocated, it could face a legal problem.
The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 was enacted in response to President Richard Nixon’s attempt to avoid spending billions appropriated by Congress.
Under this law, the executive branch is allowed to ask Congress for permission to not use funds, but the government must give legislators specific and practical reasons for not spending the money.
