All articles tagged with #antideficiency act
The article discusses President Trump's controversial use of funds outside legal appropriations to pay troops and other government actions, highlighting concerns over violations of the Antideficiency Act, erosion of constitutional principles of congressional control over finances, and signs of increasing authoritarianism in the U.S. government.
The Pentagon plans to pay military troops by shifting $8 billion, despite legal restrictions under the Antideficiency Act, amid ongoing government shutdown concerns. Critics, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro, argue this may violate the law, which prohibits spending without congressional approval, and could lead to legal penalties. The Government Accountability Office has not yet reviewed these actions, but past violations during previous shutdowns have resulted in legal warnings.
The Office of Special Counsel is investigating complaints that federal agencies are violating the Hatch Act and Antideficiency Act by posting partisan messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, with some agencies and officials dismissing these concerns.
Top Republican senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, are criticizing the Biden administration for its lack of response to their inquiries about Executive Order 14019 on "Promoting Access to Voting." The senators argue that federal agencies should focus on their defined missions in a nonpartisan manner and not use taxpayer funds for potentially partisan voter mobilization efforts. They are requesting copies of agency plans submitted to the White House and a full accounting of federal funding used to implement the executive order. The senators also raise concerns about the potential violation of the Antideficiency Act and the need for transparency in the administration's plans.
Ronald Reagan had the most government shutdowns, with eight occurring during his presidency. However, these shutdowns were short-lived, some lasting only hours, and were the result of a 1980 memo from Democratic attorney general Benjamin Civiletti. Prior to this memo, the federal government would continue functioning even without funding, under the assumption that funding would eventually come through. Since 1995, government shutdowns have become longer and more painful, with Republicans controlling the House during each shutdown since then.