The Dems have their smoking gun. This will be the non-stop news today and into the Trial. Will allow those squishy republicans cover to allow for more witnesses and more evidence, and adding to the AOI, informally or have the house vote on another resolution.
Unfortunately, this is a BIG deal.
Pelosi’s on the news ‘now’ about this of course....”tangled web to deceive’...
Whatever, troll.
“Will allow those squishy republicans cover to allow for more witnesses and more evidence”
This is has the ring of truth. Seems like the door will open for long dragged out mess. The odds just went way up for the rats to get their bi-partisan majority to convict at the very least and the potential for outright removal. It is well known the GAO is a rat tool and this is the price paid for letting remain so.
I agree
Treaty text: https://www.congress.gov/treaty-document/106th-congress/16/document-text (2000, Clinton era)
The funds were released by Bolton, via State.
The aid was/is military.
If this GAO report had any merit, this "violation of the law" would have been specifically included as an article of impeachment.
The Democrats didn't do this because the funds were never "withheld" after all.
“The Dems have their smoking gun.”
The Dems have smoke, and a gun.
They’re blowing smoke, and the gun is a prop.
The law in question says POTUS can delay spending for 45 days to get Congress to rescind the spending. Past that, Comptroller General may give 25 days notice that he will sue (civil) to compel the spending.
The law in question does NOT say POTUS _must_ commence spending within 45 days.
Contrast this with the law in question stating that POTUS _must_ COMPLETE spending by end of fiscal year, unless otherwise extended (which Congress did).
There’s another interpretation which is even more charitable, interpreting the 45 days as the time which Congress has to respond to a rescindment request.
This is not a “smoking gun”.
“Unfortunately, this is a BIG deal.”
.... No, it’s not. Another lame attempt to manufacture a crime. Don’t be too disappointed.
No, it is not a big deal. The OMB is an Executive Office— and the dispersal of funds under the direction of the Executive, is not discernible to the Govt. Accounting Office. Simply put— there is NO, zero way, that the GAO can ascribe “intent” of the Executive from the OMB’s financial “report/feedback” to them. That is NOT in the ledger books/software. The funds were withheld— that is all they know. They also know the funds were then re-committed 2 weeks later-— neither events having any “reason” to them.
This is simply demonrat embeds in the GAO timing their own OPINION spin with the .......ooooooooh, “impeachment” which does not describe withhold of funds as being impeachable (because, in fact, they are NOT impeachable).
You probably don’t recall the Boland Amendment of Congress that “became” a mechanism for “impeachment” of Reagan over the funding of the Contras. They could not be, any more than the sale of non-funcitoning weapons to iran to come up with cash for the Contras, was. OK? Executive funds released by Congress to the Executive, are the Executive’s to control and disburse— not the direction of Congress as a “law” that is directed solely to the Executive.
Now observe how the dems are twisting and gaming the words. They are total, corrupt, and desperate lying shite. Walking pestilence of our Constitution. They will pay— one way or another, as will their street thugs the AntiFA fascists.
They want to go put in a blaze glory, we are going to have some fun.