# Trump’s Pocket Rescission Undermines Congress’s Power of the Purse | Cato’s David Ditch 

Congress must stop avoiding its responsibility to manage the federal budget.

September 26, 2026 • News Releases 

Following President Trump’s move to cancel $810 million in spending through a “pocket rescission” just days before the September 30 fiscal year end, the Cato Institute’s [**David Ditch**](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.cato.org*2Fpeople*2Fdavid-ditch/1/010001a0df046e51-98394efe-0e54-493d-909a-be5ac98f16ab-000000/RY9jm9f4tykTZNhHHVN6eww8w0I=473___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjNiZTJlZWY2MWExNTFhODkzZWViZTFkM2IyZWIyZDJlOjc6ODY0NzpmOTdiMzQxYWUyNzMxMGY0ZTFmYjE3NGYxZDVhOWUyOWJhOTgzOTQ5Y2IyZWU4ZDBhMTc5OGE4ZTQyM2U3MGYzOmg6VDpO) issued the following statement:

*“President Trump’s ‘pocket rescission’ cancellation of $810 million in spending mere days before the September 30 fiscal year end undermines Congress’s power of the purse. The administration could have put forward a rescission request months ago, allowing Congress to fully debate the merits of cutting the spending in question. Instead, the administration chose to wait until after the House announced it would be out of session for the remainder of the month, making it less likely that Congress would reject the rescission. Congress is not blameless in this matter: the House has chosen to go home to campaign rather than perform its duties.”*

*“The Government Accountability Office has* [*determined*](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.gao.gov*2Fproducts*2Fb-330330/1/010001a0df046e51-98394efe-0e54-493d-909a-be5ac98f16ab-000000/q85cb2QnJWafax1uW8vJJghmAKM=473___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjNiZTJlZWY2MWExNTFhODkzZWViZTFkM2IyZWIyZDJlOjc6NjFkMjpjNWIyM2E3NDcxMTdjZjBmNjE3ODMzMjBhZGIwNTQxZGZmNWZiMDRiOGMxYTFmMDY4NWJhZWE2NTRiMzU4ZmVjOmg6VDpO) *that pocket rescissions are a violation of the Impoundment Control Act. Although the spending is wasteful and Congress should rescind it, whether the spending is wasteful or not is immaterial to the appropriateness of pocket rescissions. The continued centralization of power within the executive branch is harmful to the American system of government. The House should return to session and both chambers should vote on the rescission message, which would reassert the authority of the legislature. Congress must stop avoiding its responsibility to manage the federal budget.”*

If you’re covering the pocket rescission, congressional spending authority, or the fiscal year end, I’m happy to connect you with David to discuss.

Best,

Ryan Carver 
***Media Relations Manager*** 
*540–589‑0573* 
Cato Institute 
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. 
Washington, DC 20001

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