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President Donald Trump will face greater challenges in blocking funds for federal programs that have been approved by Congress, following actions taken by lawmakers from both political parties.

The New York Times stated on Tuesdaythat in the government funding bill Congress approved last week (which Trump subsequently signed into law) contains provisions designed to hinder Trump’s efforts to implement “pocket rescissionswhere he halts funds intended for distribution. Legislation limiting Trump’s use of pocket rescissions was included in all 11 funding bills the president signed, which will remain in effect until September 30 this year.

According to the Times, Senate Republicans were more willing to limit executive power in withholding funds compared to their colleagues in the House. Additionally, some stricter measures aimed at controlling Trump failed to secure enough support to be included in the final bill.

Nevertheless, the outlet stated that the language “expresses shared frustration across party lines regarding the White House’s efforts to take away Congress’s budgeting authority.” Lawmakers plan to utilize these bills as evidence in possible legal conflicts with the Trump administration if the president tries to block funds that have been approved by Congress in the future.

“This represents a significant achievement and demonstrates that Congress is capable of collaborating across party lines to fulfill our Article I duties and produce outcomes for the constituents we are privileged to serve,” stated Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who leads the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The administration of Trump asserts that, although the bills contained certain language, the White House never consented to any agreement that would restrict its authority over financial matters. Rachel Cauley, the communications director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), informed the Times: “None of our executive powers regarding spending were undermined by these appropriation bills, which was a key point in our talks with the Hill.”

The approach taken by the Trump administration in consistently withholding funds that have been approved by Congress constitutes a breach of theImpoundment Control Act of 1974, which Congress enacted to declare its power (underArticle 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution) during the tenure of former President Richard Nixon. OMB Director Russ Vought claims the law is unconstitutional.

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