WASHINGTON (AURN News) — President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to cancel $810 million in funding already approved by Congress, targeting programs that serve refugees, migrant students, minority-owned businesses and people seeking housing counseling.
The largest share, $567 million, comes from the Refugee and Entrant Assistance account, which supports services for refugees, asylees and other eligible arrivals, including some Haitian entrants.
The package also rescinds $10 million from the Minority Business Development Agency, which helps minority-owned businesses access capital and contracts, and $56 million from HUD housing counseling programs that assist with homebuying, foreclosure prevention and other housing needs.
The White House has characterized the rescissions as cuts to “wasteful and harmful” spending, including programs tied to immigration, race and diversity initiatives.
The request comes just days before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, leaving Congress little time to act before the funding expires. The Government Accountability Office has said so-called pocket rescissions are illegal under the Impoundment Control Act.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @ebonymcmorris & @aurnonline.
