The RecordExhibit 107
Cancelled nearly $1 billion Congress approved, with no vote
Official finding means: A government watchdog or a UN inquiry found a violation.
Days before the fiscal year ended, the White House used a 'pocket rescission' to kill almost $1 billion in bipartisan funding, timed so it expires before Congress can act.
What happened
The cuts hit $567 million for refugee and migrant services at HHS, $70 million in international education grants, $56 million in HUD programs and $50 million more for immigrant aid. It's the second time: the first cancelled $4.9 billion in foreign aid in 2025.
Where it stands
On Sept. 29, 2026, the Government Accountability Office ruled that the move violated the Impoundment Control Act: proposing to cancel money does not let a president hold it past the end of the fiscal year. Federal News Network counts it as the administration's 12th impoundment violation found by GAO. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, a Republican, also called it unlawful and said the budget office withheld the money for months to set up the cancellation. On Sept. 30, 2026, California and six other states sued in federal court in San Francisco over the withheld money, including about $810 million the White House moved to cancel by Reuters's count, arguing that refusing to spend it violates the Constitution's separation of powers.
The administration's side
The White House says it is cutting wasteful, harmful spending that doesn't benefit citizens, and that fewer border crossings mean the money isn't needed.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/rescission/