The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to withhold more than $4 billion (£3 billion) in foreign aid.
The government is seeking emergency orders as it attempts to return foreign aid programs that Congress has already allocated.
Next week, the Trump administration has a legal obligation to spend money, and the appeals court refused to freeze the ruling last Friday.
The president attempted to withdraw funds using a rarely used legislative tool. Trump has canceled billions of dollars in foreign aid since returning to the White House, saying he doesn’t align with his goals.
Deputy Attorney General D John Sauer said in a lower court injunction filed on Monday that “an urgent threat to separation power poses a serious threat.”
“When the local courts force the executive to advocate for its own goals, the president can hardly deal with Congress in foreign affairs or with Congress,” Thor wrote.
The Supreme Court may make a decision at any time.
Last week, Judge Amir Ali ruled that the U.S. government must spend allocated money unless Congress votes to approve the Trump administration’s request.
On August 28, Trump wrote to the House of Representatives that the administration would not allocate billions of dollars of foreign aid to Congress earlier this year.
These funds include approximately $3 billion from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as State Department money, international peacekeeping and democratic promotions in other countries.
Trump largely dismantled the major foreign aid agency, USAID, because he said its spending wasted.
Trump said he is using the so-called pocket ruling through the Water Storage Control Act, which gives the U.S. president the right to cancel funds approved by Congress.
Such late notice means the money will become out of place because Congress does not have enough time to act as required.
A group of nonprofit organizations and businesses that collect funds for foreign aid projects have raised legal challenges to the move.
It is reported that this is the first time in nearly half a century that moves back unilaterally and withdraws funds in this way.
The Trump administration has said it plans to spend another $6.5 billion in foreign aid following the lawsuits from aid groups.
This is not the first time that the Supreme Court has appeared on foreign aid funds.
In March, the judge rejected the president’s bid to freeze $200 million in foreign aid as the case progressed. This is a 5-4 ruling.
Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.
