Trump Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Withholding $2.9 Billion in Emergency Funds

President Trump’s decision to withhold funds approved by Congress for critical programs has drawn accusations of legal violations and raised concerns about federal budget processes.

• President Trump has withheld $2.9 billion of the $12.4 billion in emergency funding approved by Congress, citing disagreements over its designation as emergency spending.
• Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have accused the administration of violating the 1974 Impoundment and Budget Control Act by selectively withholding funds.
• The withheld funds include allocations for rental assistance, food aid, disaster relief, and international programs, which lawmakers warn could have significant humanitarian and economic impacts.
• The Trump administration argues that the funds were improperly categorized as emergency spending under a 2023 bipartisan side deal to bypass statutory spending caps.
• The dispute is expected to escalate with potential legal challenges and further congressional action, as lawmakers warn of disruptions to future appropriations processes.

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