Trump Moves to Cancel $810 Million in Approved Federal Spending

Politics12 sourcesSep 27, 2026

SplitFactual rigor 76/100

The Story

President Donald Trump moved on Friday, September 26, 2026, to cancel $810 million in federal spending previously approved by Congress.

The White House announced plans to claw back $810 million in congressionally appropriated funding, using a budget maneuver called a pocket rescission. The largest proposed cut is $567 million from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs serving refugees, asylees, and other noncitizens. Other proposed rescissions include $70 million for international education programs, $56 million for housing counseling, $28 million for health research, and $25 million for migrant education.

The administration stated declining illegal border crossings reduced the need for some funding. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), helmed by Director Russell Vought, submitted the requests on Friday. The administration cited the 1974 Impoundment Control Act (ICA) as the basis for its authority. This is the most recent attempt by this OMB to undermine Congress's constitutional power of the purse.

A year ago, the Trump administration blocked $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid through a pocket rescission. A pocket rescission occurs when a president asks Congress to rescind funds so close to the end of the fiscal year that the funds expire before they can be used for new obligations. Ordinarily, Congress has 45 days to consider a presidential request to cancel appropriated funds.

The current fiscal year ends September 30, leaving lawmakers little opportunity to reject the proposal before the money expires. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan auditing agency, has concluded that pocket rescissions are not permitted under the law because the president cannot withhold appropriated money until it expires without congressional approval. The administration disputes that interpretation. Elected Democrats and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the move.

What they agree on

President Donald Trump moved on Friday, September 26, 2026, to cancel $810 million in federal spending approved by Congress.
The administration is using a budget maneuver known as a "pocket rescission" to implement these cuts.
The largest portion of the cuts, $567 million, targets Department of Health and Human Services programs for refugees, asylees, and other noncitizens.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that pocket rescissions are not permitted under law, an interpretation the administration disputes.
Lawmakers from both Democratic and Republican parties have criticized the move, calling it an attempt to undermine Congress's constitutional power of the purse.

Where they split

The Media Line and Raw Story emphasize the White House's justification for the cuts, citing "wasteful" spending and "pro-illegal immigration programs," while CNBC and NBC News focus more on the criticism from lawmakers.
The Daily Caller provides specific examples of programs losing support, such as Southwest Key Programs and Global Refuge, and details about the "Woke International Education" and "Therapy for Latinx" workshops.
Time and Common Dreams provide more detailed explanations of what a "pocket rescission" is and its legal implications, including the timing aspect related to the fiscal year end.
Some outlets, like The Media Line, specify the date of the action as Friday, September 26, 2026, while others, like Time, refer to it as "Friday" without the full date.