Overview

• Justice Department filed an emergency application seeking a stay or a decision by Sept. 2 to prevent committing expiring foreign-aid funds.
• Although a D.C. Circuit panel ruled 2–1 that private grantees lack standing under the Impoundment Control Act, no mandate has issued, so the injunction remains operative.
• Government lawyers say the order would force rapid obligation of about $12 billion by Sept. 30 and impose irreparable diplomatic costs.
• The dispute traces to a Jan. 20 executive order pausing foreign aid; Judge Amir Ali later required payments, including nearly $2 billion, and directed that appropriated funds be made available.
• In March, the Supreme Court declined 5–4 to block initial payments as the case proceeded, leaving the broader separation-of-powers fight on an expedited appellate track.