TCT-G-05 · Government
The president has an inherent power to refuse congressionally appropriated spending
Statement and context
“Impoundment is an inherent power of the President of the United States.” — 2023-06-20, Agenda47 campaign policy video.
“Impoundment is an inherent power of the President of the United States.” — 2023-06-20, Agenda47 campaign policy video.
What the evidence shows
The Impoundment Control Act provides limited procedures for proposed rescissions and deferrals rather than a unilateral cancellation power. GAO’s constitutional and statutory analysis says the president may not unilaterally abridge an appropriation’s enacted availability. See GAO decision B-330330 and Congress’s Constitution Annotated discussion of appropriations.
False as a description of current law. A campaign can advocate changing or challenging the law, but the asserted existing unilateral power is not recognized by the governing statute or GAO’s analysis.
Sources and attribution
Tracker research synthesis; inspect the linked evidence and research record.