Republicans Seek to Unleash President’s Power to Not Spend

Republican lawmakers want to repeal a Watergate-era law that reins in the president’s ability to decline to spend funds appropriated by Congress.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Capitol Hill. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—In a move that could give President Donald Trump more freedom to enact his agenda, Republicans are attempting to repeal a law that ties the hands of presidents who don’t want to spend particular funding appropriated by Congress.

Known as impoundment, the practice of declining to spend funds provided by Congress dates back to President Thomas Jefferson.