Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voiced her concerns on Tuesday regarding what she labeled as an “illegal” attempt by the Trump administration to retract approximately $5 billion in funding that Congress had already approved.
In a post on X, Murkowski expressed strong opposition to the White House Budget Office’s efforts, emphasizing that the “illegal attempt” to withdraw these funds was unacceptable.
“Only Congress has the constitutional duty to finance the government. Attempting to reclaim resources outside of the designated expenditure process undermines that duty,” she stated.
Murkowski, a key moderate voice, added that “unilateral actions” by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pose a threat to the bipartisan work accomplished in committee and on the Senate floor, potentially disrupting the entire funding process.
“In fact, finalizing the spending bill and avoiding government shutdowns will require significant effort and cooperation when Congress reconvenes next week,” she mentioned.
Murkowski’s statements followed similar concerns raised by Senate Budget Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine), who criticized Trump’s recent moves to eliminate funds for the State Department and USAID without prior Congressional approval.
The budget laws connected to the Water Storage Management Act permit the administration to submit a formal request to Congress to cancel specific funds. Lawmakers are weighing this request, and the administration can withhold funds for a temporary period of 45 days. If Congress declines the request, the funds must be released.
Earlier this year, Trump successfully executed this process to retrieve about $9 billion in previously allocated funds for foreign aid and public broadcasting, securing Republican approval without Democratic backing.
However, lawmakers from both parties have labeled the recent requests as illegal and strategically timed near the fiscal year-end, allowing funds to be canceled without Congressional input through the so-called “pocket withdrawal” tactic.
Trump officials defend these strategies, with OMB Director Russell referring to the operation as “one of the executive tools” available for cutting expenses.
With less than 45 days remaining until the fiscal year’s close on September 30, Congress must enact measures to maintain government funding and prevent closures, or the administration risks circumventing Congress altogether.
