House Republicans aligned with President-elect Donald Trump are advocating for him to have increased authority over Congress' annual government spending process in the upcoming year. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is set to introduce a bill that would repeal a measure requiring the president to allocate the full amount of money approved by Congress annually.
Clyde plans to present the bill in the next Congress, where Republicans will hold the majority in the House, Senate, and White House. The issue has already garnered attention within Trump's inner circle, with key figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk expressing support during recent discussions on Capitol Hill.
The proposed legislation aims to roll back the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits the president's ability to unilaterally control government spending. Currently, the president must seek congressional approval to rescind allocated funds, a process that can take up to 45 days.
Clyde argues that granting the president more authority over spending is crucial for efficiency and fiscal responsibility. He believes that the Impoundment Control Act has contributed to escalating government expenditures since its enactment.
A corresponding bill in the Senate, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, mirrors Clyde's efforts. Over a dozen House Republicans have expressed support for Clyde's bill, emphasizing the need for greater presidential discretion in budget management.
While the bill faces challenges in the current Democrat-controlled Senate, Clyde remains committed to reintroducing it in the next Congress. The initiative has received mixed reactions along party lines, with Democrats like Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., cautioning against what they perceive as a potential overreach of executive power.
Despite the partisan divide, proponents of the bill, including influential figures like Musk and Ramaswamy, argue that empowering the president to rescind funding is essential for streamlining government operations and curbing wasteful spending.
