Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
Trump uses a pocket rescission to cancel $810 million that Congress appropriated, by the Bloomberg count
The White House announced it on September 25, 2026, 5 days before the fiscal year ended, so the money lapsed before Congress’s 45-day review; GAO has said the tactic is illegal.
What happened
On the evening of Friday, September 25, 2026, the White House announced a pocket rescission of what it called nearly $1 billion in appropriated funds. Bloomberg Government and CNBC put the package at $810 million. It included $567 million for HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement programs serving refugees, asylees and unaccompanied children.
Other cuts included $28 million in HHS research and $15 million in DHS grants for services to non-citizens. The package also covered funds for migrant-student education, housing counseling, minority business development and the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service. The request arrived 5 days before the fiscal year ended, so the money lapsed before Congress’s 45-day review. GAO has said pocket rescissions are illegal, and Senator Susan Collins agreed.
Who benefited
The White House keeps money Congress appropriated, with no vote by Congress to rescind it. The request came 5 days before the fiscal year ended, and the funds lapsed before the 45-day review could run. The White House says the package is nearly $1 billion; Bloomberg Government and CNBC count $810 million.
Who wanted something
The White House wanted the funds for programs serving refugees, asylees, unaccompanied children and non-citizens cancelled. The largest piece, $567 million, was for HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement programs. Others covered migrant-student education, housing counseling, minority business development and the Community Relations Service.
Who lost out
Refugees, asylees and unaccompanied children lost $567 million in HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement programs that Congress had funded. Migrant students, housing counseling clients and minority-owned businesses lost smaller amounts. Congress lost its power over the spending, and your taxpayer money was withheld for a purpose Congress had not approved.
Why it matters
GAO says pocket rescissions are illegal, and the White House used one anyway. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican appropriator, agreed with GAO. The money lapsed on September 30, before Congress’s 45-day review could run, so the funds are gone whatever the legal finding.
Sources The White House (primary)CNBCBloomberg GovernmentAssociated Press (via ABC News)