Hi John,

Congress is back in session and needs to pass a budget by September 30. Which, of course, has led to another illegal power grab by the administration. 

The latest weird, wonky term being thrown around for the budget is pocket rescissions. We know, we know! We're tired of having to learn about this stuff too, but unfortunately, here we are. 

The concept is complicated, but in short: in the normal course of things, the President can send a rescission request, which is essentially a request to not spend funds already allocated in the budget. Typically, the funds are then withheld for 45 days, to allow Congress time to consider the request.

But the new wrinkle is the "pocket rescission," in which the administration has timed their proposal so late that the end of that 45-day period will run through the end of the fiscal year. If Congress does not act within this 45-day window, the administration is saying they have the right to unilaterally call the funding expired. 

All of which is a very complicated way for the Executive Branch to illegally take the Constitutionally-mandated power of the purse away from Congress and decide how taxpayer dollars are spent.

The Constitution says only Congress can decide how money is raised and how it is spent, and it's one of the strongest checks that Congress has over the Executive Branch. Which is probably why the Trump administration is trying so hard to ignore that power. 

Congress is not powerless to stop this. Let's remind Congress they have the ability to stand up to the Executive Branch and take back their Constitutionally mandated authority. 

Send a message TODAY to Congress telling them to do their job.