SCOTUS Rules on Pocket Rescission

The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to effectively cancel about $4 billion in congressionally appropriated foreign aid funds. The ruling paused part of a lower court ruling requiring the administration to spend appropriated funds before they expire on Sept. 30. The unsigned order, which drew a dissent from the three justices on the liberal wing of the court, did not explain the conservative majority's decision, only stating that the Trump administration would likely prevail in the case. The order stated that the 1974 law at the center of the case, the Impoundment Control Act, likely blocked the lawsuit brought by the potential recipients of the foreign aid funds, which have been frozen since February. It said that "the asserted harms to the Executive's conduct of foreign affairs appear to outweigh the potential harm faced by respondents." OMB Director Vought called the ruling a "major victory."