Senator Susan Collins is urging the U.S. Senate to authorize the Government Accountability Office to file suit against the executive branch for bypassing the legislative power of the purse. This effort to block the unilateral cancellation of $810 million in approved spending comes as Judge Amir Ali ruled that a separate legal challenge to the administration's previous use of pocket rescissions may proceed. The GAO previously issued a formal opinion stating that the most recent budget maneuver used by Trump to claw back funding is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act.

The funding cuts target health and education initiatives, including $567 million stripped from refugee and asylee services at the Department of Health and Human Services. OMB Director Russell Vought defended the action as a way to eliminate waste in programs for non-citizens and diversity initiatives. The White House executed the cuts just before the Sept 30 fiscal year end, ensuring Congress could not hold a vote within the statutory 45 day window required to prevent the funds from expiring.