FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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NEW WSJ POLL: 76% of American Voters Don’t Support Trump’s Unconstitutional Executive Branch Power Grab
New Polling From the Wall Street Journal Highlights Vast Majority of Voters Support Congress’s Power of the Purse
Washington, D.C. — Trump’s plan to use impoundments — where the president ignores spending laws and unilaterally withholds money appropriated by Congress – continues to make headlines ahead of the second hearing for his pro-impoundments OMB Director nominee Russ Vought. A new Wall Street Journal poll reveals a large majority of Americans oppose impoundments.
President Trump, having already faced impeachment in his first term for illegally withholding aid intended for Ukraine, is now pushing for further actions that would undermine Congress’s constitutionally granted power of the purse.
Read the Latest:
- A new Wall Street Journal poll shows that 76% of Americans believe Congress should have the power of the purse — that’s in direct opposition to Trump’s plans to undermine congressional authority and block funds intended for the American people. The overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe in the principles of checks and balances and the rule of law—principles that have already deemed impoundment unconstitutional.
- Washington Post: Trump plans an audacious grab for congressional ‘power of the purse’
- Trump’s intended nominee for a second stint as head of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, reiterated at his confirmation hearing Wednesday his and Trump’s claim that a president has the constitutional authority to impound money — though courts have ruled otherwise.
- Vought also refused to commit to spending $3.8 billion that has been earmarked for security assistance to Ukraine, telling the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs he would not “get ahead of the president on a foreign policy issue.”
- Trump campaigned on an explicit promise to “choke off the money” that Congress has appropriated and press for the repeal of the Impoundment Control Act.
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About Congressional Integrity Project
The Congressional Integrity Project is focused on revealing how those in power are empowering special interests, and abusing their authority to target political rivals and weaken civil society. We use research and strategic communications to keep the public informed. Our work has been critical in mitigating the damage these political stunts inflict on the progressive movement and everyday Americans.