White House Disputes Lawsuit Over Blocked Electric Vehicle Funding

White House Disputes Lawsuit Over Blocked Electric Vehicle Funding

The White House is pushing back against a watchdog group’s finding that it’s breaking the law by withholding funding for electric vehicle charging stations.

Funding Freeze Sparks Controversy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan agency, issued a report on Thursday stating that the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act by blocking $5 billion allocated in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Act for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This decision has put numerous construction projects planned by states on hold.

The GAO argues that the Trump administration bypassed proper procedures by unilaterally halting the spending. They maintain that a formal rescissions process, requiring congressional approval for cuts, should have been followed.

White House Defends Actions

Trump’s budget director, Russ Vought, dismissed the GAO report on social media, calling it a “non-event with no consequence.” He claimed the GAO is trying to “grind our work to manage taxpayer dollars effectively to a halt” by constantly scrutinizing spending decisions.

Vought also argued that the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which mandates presidents to spend money as directed by Congress, is unconstitutional. This stance echoes Trump’s campaign promises to challenge the law.

Constitutional Clash and Implications

The dispute centers around the Constitution’s power of the purse, which grants Congress control over government spending. The Impoundment Control Act was enacted after funding disputes with President Richard Nixon.

Vought’s previous efforts to block aid to Ukraine during Trump’s first term, which ultimately led to his first impeachment, highlight the administration’s consistent challenge to congressional spending authority. This latest clash is expected to eventually reach the Supreme Court.

Congressional Pushback

Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington and vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, condemned the Trump administration’s actions. “I don’t care about Russ Vought’s personal interpretation of our spending laws; the Constitution is clear, and President Trump simply does not have the power of the purse — Congress does,” she stated.

The GAO is currently investigating 39 other potential instances of impoundment under the Trump administration.

Legal Action

The impoundment act allows the GAO head to sue the president if a violation of the law is concluded. While the GAO hasn’t indicated it will take legal action in this case, a number of states have already filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over the halted electric vehicle funding.