Republicans push back as White House tests Congress’ control of spending

Republican lawmakers are challenging the Trump administration over efforts to control federal spending, including proposed rules that would give political appointees greater influence over grant decisions. GOP senators recently backed a bipartisan funding bill that would block the plan, while lawmakers in both parties have criticized delays in releasing money Congress already approved.

Lawmakers are also watching whether budget officials use a disputed “pocket rescission” maneuver to cancel appropriations before the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. The administration used the tactic last year to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid, and officials have not ruled out using additional fiscal tools.

Federal judges have repeatedly rejected administration efforts to deny grants based on rules created after funding was approved. Republican appropriators have responded by adding stricter spending instructions to funding bills and objecting to party-line budget plans that could reduce the role of congressional appropriations committees.

Read the full story at Yahoo.