The Senate voted 51-50 on two procedural motions last night to advance a Trump rescission package cutting public radio and TV and foreign aid. Those votes would be unworthy of comment except for the fact that the administration refuses to specify in writing how the cuts will be allocated. As a result, approval of the package amounts to an unlawful acceptance of impoundment.
Some of the senators have been mollified by unenforceable oral promises by OMB to use money for specific purposes. They promise that they will never support another rescission package if the administration doesn’t keep its word. Sure. Once the message has been sent that impoundment is OK, nothing will stop Trump from doing it again and again and again, with or without approval from Congress.