Creepy Telephone

The White House budget office on Wednesday defended its temporary withholding of almost $400 million in Ukraine security-related funds earlier this year, saying the episode was in keeping with longstanding authorities that allow the executive branch to control the flow of appropriated funds.

Congress routinely withholds appropriated funding from agencies, sometimes for months at a time. In fiscal years 2017 to 2019 alone, OMB said, congressional committees directed that billions of dollars in State and U.S. Agency for International Development funds be withheld for 10 days or more beyond a typically 15-day statutory notice period after Congress is notified of an intent to obligate funds.

The Mafia said it did not sell bootleg liquor.

That's your comeback? The government, the executive and the legislative, holds back or delays its budgeted aid for other countries. How the f**k is that like mafia bootleg liquor?

Both statements may be true, yet not germaine. It may be legal for the government to hold back money allocated by votes in both houses, and signed into law by the President. But, it is clearly not normal for the President to hold them back for almost two months, without justifying the delay to Congress.

Federal Judge William B. Jones, in the case law that led to the Supreme Court ruling that applies here said, “No budget message of the President can alter that power and force the Congress to act to preserve legislative programs from extinction prior to the time Congress has declared that they shall terminate, either by its action or inaction.” Likewise, to delay Congressionally approved and much needed military aid for 55-days from a country fighting for its survival, is not authorised under the guise of a technical review.

That quote actually undermines what you are saying. Nice going!

You aer misreading it. It is the foundation for the ruling against Nixon, after he delayed spending money allocated by Congress for the Office of Economic Opportunity.