Washington—This morning, the Trump administration formally requested Congress rescind more than $15 billion in previously appropriated funding. The authority for such a request comes from the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). Heritage Action released the following statement from Chief Operating Officer Tim Chapman:
The Trump administration deserves credit for its historic $15 billion rescissions request. Heritage Action looks forward to working with the administration and leaders in the House and Senate to rescind unspent money that is just sitting around. For too long, Americans have watched as the Washington Establishment spends our nation further and further into debt. Today’s rescission request will not change that overnight, but it will signal a desperately needed shift in mentality and begin to build the legislative muscle memory for future action.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Russ Vought, who is deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, makes clear “The Trump administration and Congress must be responsible with each taxpayer dollar that comes to Washington.” Vought concludes:
Over the past decade, it’s become increasingly apparent that Washington has no appetite for fiscal restraint. Unless the federal government as a whole commits to cutting spending and letting the economy grow, bloated deficits and outrageous levels of debt will haunt future generations. President Trump stands ready to put our fiscal house back in order and put the American taxpayer first. Does the rest of Washington?
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) told reporters, “I think what you do is you start with incremental steps and hopefully what we’re able to do is show that we can start here. This is I believe the first of many rescission packages that you’ll see.”
Related:
Heritage Action: GOP Should Exercise Fiscal Restraint through the Impoundment Control Act
Heritage: A Crucial First Step Toward Fiscal Discipline: Why the President and Congress Should Pursue a Rescissions Package