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GAO Says Trump Pocket Rescission Withholds $800M Illegally

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a pocket rescission withholding over $800 million in approved spending.
The largest cut removes $567 million from HHS programs for refugees, asylees and other non-citizens.
Additional rescissions total $179 million for international education, housing counseling, health research and migrant education.
The Government Accountability Office said the pocket rescission violates the Impoundment Control Act.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins called the action a clear law violation.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a pocket rescission withholding over $800 million in approved spending.
The largest cut removes $567 million from HHS programs for refugees, asylees and other non-citizens.
Additional rescissions total $179 million for international education, housing counseling, health research and migrant education.
The Government Accountability Office said the pocket rescission violates the Impoundment Control Act.
Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins called the action a clear law violation.