President Donald Trump is canceling nearly $1 billion in funding approved by Congress, using his authority to rescind money for immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives. The White House justifies these cuts as focusing on "the most harmful government spending," citing reduced illegal border crossings. Critics such as Senator Susan Collins argue that the move undermines Congress's power over federal budgeting; it comes with little notice or consultation, effectively preventing congressional oversight due to timing near the end of the fiscal year.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
President Trump ordered the cancellation of $810 million in congressionally approved funding on Friday, marking the second use of a "pocket rescission" in 49 years. This controversial move zeroes out funds for illegal immigrants and race-focused programs across seven federal departments, including HHS, Education, and Homeland Security. Key cuts include $10 million from minority business grants, $10 million for legal services aiding illegal immigrants, and $70 million allocated to "woke" international education initiatives. Critics argue the move undermines Congress's constitutional authority over spending; Republican Senator Susan Collins called it an "illegal action."
Written for “Trump Pocket Rescission Spending” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.
Donald Trump is canceling nearly $1bn in spending approved by Congress, the White House announced on Friday, using a rare and contested power to axe funding for immigrant services and diversity-focused initiatives.
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House → cancel → services
Trump’s office of management and budget described the funding cut as focused on “the most harmful government spending”.
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office → describe → spending
Most of the cuts are focused on services for immigrants, including non-profits that serve refugees and unaccompanied minors accused of being in the country illegally.
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that → focus → country
The administration says the funds are no longer necessary because illegal border crossings have diminished considerably.
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crossings → say → ?
A White House press release announcing the funding rescissions notes that some of the organizations are led by people who worked in the administration of Democratic president Barack Obama.
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who → announce → Obama
Trump’s move was condemned by senator Susan Collins, a Republican in a tough re-election campaign and chair of the Senate appropriations committee.
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move → condemn → committee
Collins said in a statement the action came without warning or consultation.
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action → say → warning
She also said she would work to address with colleagues “these illegal actions”.
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she → say → actions
“Not only is the delay itself an impoundment that was not reported to Congress, but also it is a usurpation of Congress’s appropriations powers,” Collins said.
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Collins → report → powers
It does not get to decide which programs are worth funding.”
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programs → get → ?
“This is theft from the American people, plain and simple,” Patty Murray, the Washington Democratic senator, who is vice-chair of the appropriations committee said in a statement.
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who → say → statement
“These are funds Congress has delivered on a bipartisan basis and should be helping people – not cut off by a president more focused on building a ballroom than investing in families.
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Congress → deliver → families
Every Republican who voted for these bills should be furious, because [Russell] Vought is saying their votes don’t count.”
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votes → vote → bills
Typically, Congress can review the president’s proposed spending cuts before they take effect.
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they → review → effect
But Trump made that all but impossible by announcing them with just five days left in the federal fiscal year.
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that → make → year
The government accountability office has called the maneuver, known as a “pocket rescission,” illegal.
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office → call → rescission
Collins called it the latest attempt by OMB to “undermine Congress’s constitutional power of the purse”.
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Collins → call → purse
A year ago, Trump issued a pocket rescission for the first time in 50 years by blocking $4.9bn in congressionally approved foreign aid.
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Trump → issue → aid
The US supreme court declined to block those rescissions, saying that Trump’s authority over foreign affairs weighed heavily in its decision.
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authority → decline → decision
This year, Trump is targeting domestic spending.
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Trump → target → spending
The use of a pocket rescission fits part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to exact greater control over the US government, eroding the power of Congress.
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use → fit → Congress
The administration has also fired federal workers, imposed a historic increase in tariffs, and started the war in Iran without going through Congress, putting the burden on the judicial branch to determine the limits of presidential power.
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administration → fire → power
The Aporia
