GAO Finds White House Illegally Withheld Over $1 Billion, but Stops Short of Suit
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 9
GAO Finds White House Illegally Withheld Over $1 Billion, but Stops Short of Suit
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 9
Summary
More than $1 billion in education and health care research money was illegally withheld by the White House, the Government Accountability Office concluded earlier this week.
The finding adds to more than a half-dozen GAO determinations since the start of Donald Trump’s second term that administration impoundments violated Congress’ control over federal spending.
Congressional lawmakers want GAO to escalate by using its rare authority to sue the president and force the funds’ release, but the agency has not taken that step.
Orice Williams Brown, serving as acting comptroller general after her predecessor retired last year, is seen by lawmakers as reluctant to launch such a court fight while awaiting Senate confirmation of a permanent replacement.