Administration moves to claw back $810M in health and education funds
The Trump administration said it would cancel $810 million in already appropriated health, education and other funds shortly before the fiscal year ends. Senate appropriators from both parties called the rescission illegal and said the administration withheld the money to bypass Congress. Most of the cut targets an Office of Refugee Resettlement account, with smaller reductions for migrant student programs, international exchange grants and health research.
The White House announced the cancellation late Friday, days before fiscal year end, using a pocket rescission that withdraws previously approved funds. The House had already left and was not due back until after November's midterm elections.
Most of the $810 million—$567 million—came from an Office of Refugee Resettlement account. Other reductions included $25 million for migrant student aid, $70 million for international exchange grants, $28 million for health research and $56 million for HUD housing counseling. Senate appropriators from both parties called the action illegal.
The canceled funds could disrupt services for refugees, migrant students, exchange participants, health researchers and housing counseling clients if programs cannot replace the money. Because the House is absent until after the midterms, affected groups may face uncertainty through the election and into the Dec. 11 funding deadline. The dispute may also intensify broader budget negotiations, potentially raising risks of a later shutdown fight, though the full effects remain uncertain.