The president informed Congress about his decision by writing on Thursday. He announced that he cancels USD 4.9 billion intended for the Foreign Aid Programs Department of State and the United States Agency closed by the Administration of International Development (USAID).
According to the content of the letter, this amount includes, among others $ 3.2 billion from USAID development aid programs and $ 393 million for peaceful activities of the State Department. In total, this applies to 15 foreign aid programs.
Trump uses rarely used for this purpose Budget maneuver – so -called Pocket Rescision, which will withdraw the intended funds without the Congress. The maneuver consists in submitting the application in the Congress so late in the fiscal year – which ends on September 30 – that it enters into force regardless of whether the congress approves him.
Maneuver unlawful? It was recently used nearly 50 years ago
It was last used in 1977 by the then president Jimmy Carter. According to Democrats and at least one republican senator, this movement is unlawful – the CNN station pointed out.
That's right second undertaken by the president an attempt to limit funding, which has already been approved by the Congress.
