Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court decided to let the Trump administration continue holding onto more than $4 billion in foreign aid, which Congress had already approved. The decision overturned a federal judge's earlier order to release the money by the end of September 2025.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court's decision was made with a 6-3 vote.
- The aid funds were previously blocked by the Trump administration despite Congress's approval.
- A federal judge had ordered the release of these funds, but the decision was appealed.
- Conservative justices argued that Trump's foreign policy powers took priority.
- Justice Elena Kagan disagreed with how quickly the decision was made, citing lack of time for proper deliberation.
- President Trump informed House Speaker about not spending $4.9 billion using a process called pocket rescission.
- A pocket rescission allows the president to not spend money near the end of a budget year, bypassing Congress.
- This type of rescission has not been used since the 1970s.
