Trump allies push for more White House control over Congress’ purse strings

House GOP allies of President-elect Donald Trump are advocating for him to have greater control over Congress’ annual government spending process next year. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is taking the lead by introducing a bill on Monday that would repeal a measure requiring the president to direct the federal government to spend the full amount of money allocated by Congress each year.

Clyde stated to Fox News Digital that he plans to reintroduce the bill in the next Congress, where Republicans will control the House, Senate, and White House. He mentioned that the issue has already been discussed in Trump’s inner circle and was brought up during recent meetings with Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk on Capitol Hill to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency.

“They’re in favor of it because how can you be efficient and not have the ability to reduce spending? You simply can’t,” Clyde stated. He also noted that incoming Trump Office Of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is supportive of the measure.

The Impoundment Control Act of 1974, enacted during the Nixon administration, was designed to prevent the president from unilaterally controlling government spending. Currently, the president must seek congressional approval to rescind any allocated funding. The funds in question can be held for up to 45 days while the request is processed.

Clyde believes that granting the president more authority over spending is crucial. He argued, “Ever since Congress introduced that act, you’ve seen spending literally spiraling upwards. And that’s just not good for our country.”

His bill aims to roll back the Impoundment Control Act, with a corresponding bill being introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Over a dozen House Republicans are supporting Clyde’s efforts.

Musk and Ramaswamy, in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, advocated for Trump to have more power to rescind funding. They were appointed by the president-elect to lead an advisory panel on cutting government waste.

While Clyde acknowledged the challenges of passing the bill in the current Democrat-controlled Senate, he expressed determination to reintroduce it in the next Congress. The issue is expected to face opposition along party lines, with Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, criticizing the idea as “idiotic and dangerous.”

Despite the partisan divide, Clyde remains committed to pushing for greater presidential authority over government spending. The issue is likely to remain a point of contention in the ongoing debate over fiscal policy and government efficiency.