Summary
The Trump administration is finding new ways to keep government functions running during shutdowns without Congress’s approval. This approach might violate the Antideficiency Act, a law that forbids spending money without Congress agreeing to it first. There is ongoing debate about how strictly the law should be applied during funding gaps.
Key Facts
- The Antideficiency Act is a 150-year-old law that stops the U.S. government from spending money without congressional approval.
- President Trump’s administration has been trying new methods to keep parts of the government open during shutdowns.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) previously ruled some of these actions during his first term as unlawful.
- Violating the Antideficiency Act can lead to criminal charges, although none have been made in recent history.
- The debate around the Antideficiency Act involves whether government functions should continue during funding lapses.
- Some legal experts argue the Act limits government unnecessarily, while others say strict adherence is needed.
- Government shutdowns in the U.S. became more impactful after a strict interpretation of the Act in 1980.
