Trump seeks to withhold over $800 million in congressionally approved spending

US President Donald Trump on September 25 sought to unilaterally withhold more than $800 million in spending on immigration, race and education that Congress had approved, in the latest dispute between the administration and lawmakers over control of government spending.

"President Trump is committed to utilizing all possible tools to cut wasteful and harmful government spending that does not benefit ⁠American citizens," the White House said in a statement announcing the steps, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The statement outlined several programs, including initiatives focused on refugee assistance, racial-minority business development and overseas conservation.

The White House argued that the programs supported illegal immigration, stoked racial tensions and promoted alarmist approaches to the environment, while the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse.

The administration is using a rarely used technique known as a "pocket rescission" to withhold the funds without congressional approval.

Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, described the move as "illegal."

"This is the most recent attempt by this Office of Management and Budget to ⁠undermine Congress’s Constitutional power of the purse," Collins said. "Any ⁠effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law."

Collins, a Republican, is also facing a tight reelection race in Maine.

The dispute follows a similar move by the Trump administration involving foreign aid. The Supreme Court last year declined to block Trump from using the same tactic to withhold $4.9 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress, while litigation over the matter continued.

By Sabina Mammadli