Trump Uses Contested Rescission to Cut $810 Million in Federal Spending
President Trump used a contested budget maneuver to cancel $810 million in congressionally approved spending with five days left in the fiscal year. The cuts target 11 funding pools, including $567 million at HHS for services to refugees, asylees, unaccompanied minors, and other non-citizens. Other reductions affect minority-focused programs at Commerce, HHS, and HUD, which the administration criticized as race-based or DEI-related.
Trump acted Friday under a disputed budget tool to erase $810 million Congress had approved. The package spans 11 accounts at seven agencies and arrived five days before the fiscal year ended. Because the maneuver compresses review time, the funds could lapse before lawmakers complete the usual 45-day window.
Most savings—$567 million—come from HHS programs serving refugees, asylees, unaccompanied minors, and other noncitizens. The White House says reduced border crossings make the money unnecessary. Additional targets include minority business aid, minority health grants, housing counseling, the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, research, international education, migrant student aid, DHS noncitizen services, and a Treasury conservation-debt program. Senator Susan Collins objected that Congress was not consulted.
The cuts could disrupt services for refugees, asylees, unaccompanied minors, and other noncitizens, as well as minority-owned businesses, health programs, housing counseling, and migrant students. Organizations relying on these funds may face sudden shortfalls or stop work. Because the maneuver is contested, courts or Congress may later review it, leaving affected communities and agencies in uncertainty.