WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s attempt to rescind $4.9 billion in congressionally-approved funding illegally:
“President Trump’s attempt to rescind $4.9 billion in funding that Congress already approved and the President himself signed into law is illegal and dangerous. By refusing to spend these funds, President Trump is making America less secure and less prosperous. He is undermining counterterrorism efforts in Africa, hindering programs to strengthen democracy and combat corruption, and halting food security and agricultural initiatives that benefit U.S. businesses. As the U.S. steps back, the People’s Republic of China is accelerating their investments and defining itself as the more reliable political and economic partner.
“Congress—not the President—decides how taxpayer dollars are spent. This unconstitutional power grab is an illegal end-run around Congress and should be flatly rejected by Congress on both sides of the aisle.”
