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Welcome to The Logoff: As we speak, I’m specializing in the Trump administration’s determination to withhold almost $7 billion in federal training funding.
What simply occurred? The Trump administration refused to launch congressionally mandated funding to help a wide range of training initiatives: after-school and summer time applications, applications for college kids who’re studying English, instructor coaching, classroom know-how, and extra.
The almost $7 billion was allotted to states and native colleges, and will have gone out on Tuesday. Its loss will probably be notably dangerous as a result of faculty districts have already made plans with the belief that the cash could be there, solely to have it pulled on the final minute.
What’s the administration saying? The Trump administration argues the withholding isn’t a freeze and is as a substitute as a result of the funds are beneath overview. However this argument is probably going a fig leaf, given the administration’s opposition to the applications in query and its earlier efforts to withhold funding for applications it disagrees with. What the administration seems to be doing is known as impoundment — the choice to not spend cash that Congress has already appropriated for a selected goal.
Can they do this? Probably not — however we’ll see how the courts rule, for the reason that administration’s determination is sort of sure to be challenged in courtroom. Although the president can request Congress withdraw funding — and making that request would set off a brief freeze — the administration hasn’t finished so on this case.
What’s the large image right here? The Trump administration is waging a struggle in opposition to the congressional energy of the purse, led by Workplace of Administration and Funds director Russ Vought (of Challenge 2025 fame).
The choice to withhold training funding is one among various efforts to wrest spending energy from Congress, and up to date reporting suggests the administration is contemplating methods to step up its assault and problem restrictions on impoundment extra broadly. If it’s profitable, it is going to be a significant growth of Trump’s powers — and one other blow to Congress’s.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
I completely liked this story from my colleague Bryan Walsh in regards to the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which simply final month shared its first photographs of the cosmos. The telescope itself is a scientific marvel that has already offered helpful knowledge to researchers, however, as Bryan factors out, it’s additionally the “final perspective supplier,” a reminder of our place in an enormous, lovely universe. I hope you take pleasure in his piece — and the pictures — as a lot as I did, and I’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
