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Results of the first review initiates battle over budget rules

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2 months ago

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During the confirmation hearings of the Office of Management and Budget director and deputy director for budget earlier this year, lawmakers pressed Russ Vought and Dan Bishop about whether they would comply with the Impoundment Control Act.

The budget rules of the road require Congressional approval if OMB decides not to spend money appropriated in law.

While both Vought and Bishop promised to comply with the law, a new decision by the Government Accountability Office casts further doubt on whether OMB will follow the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

GAO found the Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) violated the law when it decided not to give out money under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which Congress authorized and President Joe Biden signed into law as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“[W]e conclude that DoT violated the recording statute, in each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025, when it treated signed project agreements as the point of obligation for the NEVI Formula Program, rather than the point at which IIJA made funds for the program available for obligation,” GAO stated. “In addition, DOT’s withholding of funds from expenditure pursuant to FHWA’s memorandum constitutes a deferral, as defined by the ICA. However, the ICA’s fourth disclaimer prohibits withholding from obligation or expenditure funds appropriated for programs for which there is a mandate to spend therefor. Consequently, DoT is not authorized under the ICA to withhold these funds from expenditure and must continue to carry out the statutory requirements of the program. If DoT wishes to make changes to the obligation and expenditure of funds appropriated under the NEVI Formula Program, it must propose funds for rescission or otherwise propose legislation to make changes to the law for consideration by Congress.”

GAO said while the ICA lets agencies defer or delay spending appropriated funding, Congress mandated DoT spend money in the NEVI Formula Program and therefore its funds cannot be deferred.

“IIJA prescribes a formula by which NEVI Formula Program funds are to be allocated, requires that the Secretary give notice before they withdraw or withhold funds, prescribes an opportunity for states or territories to appeal the decision and uses language mandating the allocation of funds to states or territories,” GAO stated. “Because IIJA constitutes a mandate to provide amounts appropriated for the NEVI Formula Program to the states, the amounts currently available for the program are subject to the ICA’s fourth disclaimer and may not be withheld from expenditure under the ICA.”

OMB disagrees with GAO

This decision by GAO is the first of dozens of reviews. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro told Senate lawmakers in early May that the oversight organization had 39 ongoing ICA investigations, including another one at the State Department.

Vought rejected GAO’s decision.

“Just so we are all clear over the next several months. The Government Accountability Office or GAO is a quasi-independent arm of the legislative branch that played a partisan role in the first-term impeachment hoax. They are going to call everything an impoundment because they want to grind our work to manage taxpayer dollars effectively to a halt. These are non-events with no consequence. Rearview mirror stuff,” Vought posted on “X” on May 22.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, expressed continued concerns about the Trump administration’s adherence to the Impoundment Control Act.

“This GAO decision shows President Trump is breaking the law and actively making America’s infrastructure less safe at a time when communities across the country need continued investment to make sure they are not left behind, exactly what the historic bipartisan infrastructure law was designed to prevent,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member of the Appropriations Committee in a statement.

Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), ranking member of Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, echoed similar concerns and sent a letter to GAO stressing the need to continue analyzing possible ICA violations.

Senate Appropriations Committee chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash). (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

“As Congress begins deliberations on the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, it is critical that we understand how the administration is executing current law, and whether, through programmatic delay or illegal impoundment, funds are in danger of expiring without obligation,” the Senators wrote. “If the administration is breaking the law without consequence, the fundamental separation of powers and Congressional power of the purse is under serious threat. We encourage you to continue to report to Congress as quickly as possible on any violations of the ICA. In the event of a violation, Congress has also invested GAO with the authority to file suit to ensure funds are spent in accordance with the law.”

Philip Joyce, a professor of public policy in the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said under the Impoundment Control Act, GAO has the authority to file a lawsuit on behalf of Congress against the administration to enforce the law.

A GAO spokesperson said it has no plans to pursue a case at this time.

“Our legal decisions do not take a position on the policy goals of the program,” the spokesperson said. “We only examine the procedural issues and compliance with the law. Changes to these policies and priorities can be addressed through the legislative process with Congress and the administration.”

Does Congress push back?

Joyce said this first decision by GAO wasn’t out of the ordinary, but it does set the stage for how Congress will react to other possible violations.

“One of question to me is GAO simply providing information to Congress and do they want to do something or not? Or is GAO taking any legal action?” Joyce said in an interview with Federal News Network. “The other thing I’m looking at through this whole process is at what point does Congress stand up for itself? The fact that President Trump is Republican and Congress is controlled by Republicans that isn’t the end of the story. If the practice now is the President can pick and choose what he can spend money on, then Congress has ceded huge power to the President, and it’s not just this President, but future ones as well.”

Joyce said if lawmakers don’t stand up now, they will set a precedent for others to take the same stand.

“It’s short sighted by members of Congress who say we agree with this administration’s decision so it’s OK to withhold spending,” he said. “Once they have given away power of purse, they have given it away and not just to President Trump.”

Joyce added that OMB easily could’ve submitted a request to Congress to rescind or withhold this DoT funding, it likely would’ve been approved.

The White House is expected to send its first rescission package to Congress next week.

Joyce said while it’s reasonable to think Congress would approve some rescissions, it’s far from automatic.

“The rub is basically what the courts have found consistently, and the last time we had a lot of these issues was during the Nixon administration, is that there are ways for the administration to legally decide not to spend money, but it’s pretty narrowly prescribed,” he said. “GAO is saying, there was an appropriations that was intended to provide funds for this purpose and the Trump administration doesn’t like this thing so they had to ask Congress to cancel the appropriation, which is a process in the Impoundment Control Act. The president can’t do it unilaterally and decide not to spend the money.”

The post Results of the first review initiates battle over budget rules first appeared on Federal News Network.

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GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess

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12 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) has unveiled a procedural scheme to block President Donald Trump from making any critical appointments during the August recess, effectively aiding the Democrats’ obstructionist agenda.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president can make “recess appointments,” temporary appointments to federal positions, if the Senate is in recess and not conducting business. These appointments don’t require immediate Senate confirmation and can last until the end of the next session of Congress.

But there’s a loophole: if the Senate holds pro forma sessions, very short, symbolic meetings where no actual business is conducted, then technically, the Senate is still in session. That means the president cannot legally make recess appointments during that time.

John Thune has quietly secured unanimous‑consent for a paper‑thin Senate schedule through the Trump appointee confirmation deadline, ensuring only pro forma sessions on five key dates in early August.

Under the agreement, the chamber will adjourn after today’s business and reconvene without conducting any votes or business on:

  • Tue, Aug 5 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 8 – 1:05 p.m.
  • Tue, Aug 12 – 8:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 15 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 19 – 10:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 22 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 26 – 12:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 29 – 7:00 a.m.

WATCH:

Thune’s pro forma blueprint comes amid mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who has demanded the Senate remain open until all 150+ administration nominees are confirmed.

Under the Recess Appointments Clause, a president may only install nominees without Senate approval if both chambers are in formal recess for at least 10 days. By convening the Senate just long enough every few days, Thune blocks the possibility of Trump making unilateral appointees.

The Senate went into its August recess without confirming all of Trump’s pending judicial and district‑level appointments.

By the time lawmakers left town on Saturday evening, no deal had been reached to move dozens of Trump’s nominees, including U.S. district court picks, through final floor votes.

Only a small handful of nominees (such as Jeanine Pirro to be U.S. Attorney in D.C.) had advanced. Otherwise, nominees remained stalled in committees or waiting for cloture roll‑calls on the executive calendar.

Roughly 150–160 executive and judicial nominations, including over a dozen district court judges and U.S. attorney nominations, remained scheduled but unconfirmed.

The post GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road

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12 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that there have been about 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English taken off the roads as part of a push to ensure foreign truck drivers are not causing accidents.

Back in 2016, the Obama administration stopped enforcing English proficiency requirements for truckers, according to a report from The Daily Signal.

But in May, Duffy issued a guidance making clear that truck drivers who cannot demonstrate a proficiency in English cannot drive.

The 1,500 drivers were taken off the roads within the first 3o days of the rules once more being enforced, according to The Daily Signal.

“Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!” Duffy posted on X.

“If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger the driving public.”

He added, “America First = Safety First.”

Duffy’s concerns were far from unfounded.

In January, there was a truck driver involved in a fatal crash that had to use a language interpreter for the post-crash investigation, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Another incident from 2019 involved a truck driver who could not proficiently speak English speeding through signs that warned of steep grades and dangerous curves, all at more than 100 miles per hour.

Four people died in that crash, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President Donald Trump had likewise insisted with an April executive order that the move centered on public safety.

“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said of truck drivers.

They also “need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” a position the order called “common sense.”

“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” the notice added.

“This order will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

The post ‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict

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12 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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via Wikimedia Commons

Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo on Israel, banning the export, import, and transit of weapons to and from the country.

This decision was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government session on July 31, 2025.

Slovenia claims to be the first European Union member to take such a step, citing the EU’s inability to act due to internal disagreements.

The government stated that no permits for military exports to Israel have been issued since October 2023, when the conflict in Gaza began.

Officials emphasized that the embargo is an independent measure to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Slovenia has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased aid deliveries to the region.

In early July 2025, Slovenia declared two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, persona non grata, barring them from entry.

This action was based on their public statements regarding the conflict. Earlier, in June 2024, Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood, joining countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain in this move.

The conflict in Gaza started after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of hostages.

Israel responded with a military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure. Reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicate significant casualties, with ongoing international efforts to negotiate truces and provide aid.

Several other nations have taken similar diplomatic steps, including France, Britain, and Canada announcing potential recognition of a Palestinian state. Australia has also indicated that recognizing Palestinian statehood is under consideration.

Israel has criticized these declarations, arguing they could reward Hamas for its actions.

Israeli officials dismissed Slovenia’s embargo as insignificant, noting that Israel does not procure any defense materials from Slovenia.

An unnamed official stated that the country buys nothing from Slovenia, not even minor items.

Within the EU, there is growing pressure for measures against Israel, with Sweden and the Netherlands advocating for suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The European Commission has proposed limiting Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program, though Germany opposes such steps.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed concerns about Israel’s potential diplomatic isolation during a visit to Jerusalem.

The United States remains a key ally to Israel, with President Donald Trump warning that recognizing Palestinian statehood might benefit Hamas.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance Gaza truce talks. These efforts aim to address the humanitarian crisis and secure a ceasefire.

The post Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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