Republicans Again Block Merkley’s Push to Permanently Ban Pocket Rescissions

Republicans Again Block Merkley's Push to Permanently Ban Pocket Rescissions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Senate considers bipartisan legislation to set funding for a portion of the federal government, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, offered an amendment to codify a permanent ban on pocket rescissions by prohibiting the President from sending Congress a "special message" under the Impoundment Control Act within 90 days of the expiration of the funds proposed for rescission.

Merkley offered the amendment to an annual appropriations package to prevent the Trump Administration from unilaterally clawing back funding that Congress had enacted through bipartisan agreement. Serving in his Ranking Member role on the Senate Budget Committee and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Merkley offered the amendment to reaffirm that Trump cannot legally cancel billions in funding without Congressional approval.

"Last fall, the Trump Administration trampled on Congress' authority by utilizing the illegal pocket rescission. It's well past time for Congress to reassert its Constitutionally granted Power of the Purse," said Ranking Member Merkley. "It is clear that Donald Trump and Russ Vought have no interest in following the law. That is why every step of the way in writing the annual appropriations package, I have introduced amendments that would prevent the Trump Administration from undermining bipartisan agreements by illegally impounding funds. My Republican colleagues need to stand up, do the right thing, and join us in reaffirming that Congress controls the federal budget, not Donald Trump and Russ Vought."

In November, Merkley filed this amendment to the continuing resolution legislation that ended the shutdown. Merkley made a motion to call up this amendment; that vote failed on a party-line vote, and the Republicans blocked consideration of the amendment.

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