White House Allies Push for Increased Control over Congressional Spending
House GOP allies of President-elect Donald Trump are advocating for him to have more control over Congress’ annual government spending process next year. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is set to introduce a bill on Monday aimed at repealing a measure that currently requires the president to direct the federal government to spend the full amount of money allocated by Congress each year. Clyde stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that he plans to introduce the bill in the upcoming Congress, where Republicans will have control over the House, Senate, and White House. The issue has already been a topic of discussion within Trump’s inner circle.
Republicans Seek to Grant President-elect Trump More Influence over Spending
During a recent visit to Capitol Hill, Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk engaged in talks about the Department of Government Efficiency, where the issue of granting President-elect Trump more authority over the Congressional appropriations process was raised. According to Clyde, Ramaswamy and Musk expressed their support for this proposal, emphasizing the importance of efficiency in reducing government spending. Clyde also mentioned that Russell Vought, the incoming Trump Office of Management and Budget Director, is in favor of granting the president more control over spending decisions.
Efforts to Repeal the Impoundment Control Act of 1974
The Impoundment Control Act of 1974, enacted during the Nixon administration, was designed to prevent the president from unilaterally dictating government spending. Currently, any attempt by the president to rescind allocated funds requires approval from Congress, allowing the funds to be held for up to 45 days during the review process. Clyde argues that this restriction has led to a continuous upward spiral in government spending since its implementation, which he believes is detrimental to the country.
Partisan Divide and Future Prospects
While Clyde’s bill aims to roll back the Impoundment Control Act, a corresponding bill is being introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Despite garnering support from over a dozen House Republicans, the bill faces significant challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, opposes the idea, labeling it as “idiotic and dangerous.” Boyle expressed concerns about the potential implications of granting the president unilateral authority to slash lawfully appropriated funds.
As the debate on congressional spending intensifies, the future of Clyde’s bill remains uncertain. While it may face obstacles in the current political landscape, the issue of executive authority over government expenditures is poised to provoke further discussions and disagreements among lawmakers.
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is at the forefront of covering developments in the House of Representatives. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and share tips at elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
