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GAO finds Trump administration broke law by withholding aid from Ukraine
The Hill ^ | 01/16/20 10:06 AM EST | BY REBECCA KLAR

Posted on 01/16/2020 7:57:13 AM PST by Swordmaker

The Trump administration violated the law by withholding appropriated security assistance to Ukraine, the Government Accountability Office said Thursday in a report.

The independent watchdog said the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) withheld the appropriated funds last summer.

The report said U.S. law “does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law.”

“Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the [Impound Control Act],” GAO said.

The withholding of the aid is central to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against President Trump.

--This breaking news report will be updated.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bs; gao; impeachment; presidenttrump; trumpukraine; ukraine
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To: Swordmaker

Same GAO that said Obamacare was budget neutral?


41 posted on 01/16/2020 8:13:37 AM PST by Ingtar (Bedbugs, thy name is Democrat.)
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To: poinq

Yup. They can read the writing on the wall. This is the Kavanaugh strategy all over again, and of course it’s to get the NeverTrumper squishes to fall for it and vote for Trump’s impeachment. We all know this is about the election. This is the Democrats grand campaign strategy. It’s not about the economy, national defense, or the environment. It’s basically GET TRUMP! If there are any patriots left in the US Senate they better get their asses in gear and fight this s**t!


42 posted on 01/16/2020 8:14:01 AM PST by dowcaet
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To: Swordmaker

Not cited in either article of impeachment. Look it up for yourself.


43 posted on 01/16/2020 8:15:54 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Swordmaker

Anyone wanna bet Pencil Neck was involved in this “decision”?


44 posted on 01/16/2020 8:17:13 AM PST by Signalman
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To: Skeez
Too bad the GAO has 0 credibility and adds nothing to the equation.

The whole idea of a "Government Accounting Office" seem rather oxymoronic.

45 posted on 01/16/2020 8:17:13 AM PST by ScottinVA (Out of Virginia in 2021.)
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To: Swordmaker

GAO decisions do not come out of thin air. WHO are the people (Names and faces) who did this. Inquiring minds want to know.


46 posted on 01/16/2020 8:18:30 AM PST by Torahman (Remember the Maccabees)
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To: Blueflag

Gop didn’t care. They don’t care now. Just like our current doj isn’t arresting politician’s for aiding and abetting illegal aliens. Trump extended daca, which wasn’t legal to begin with. Obama and Trump both broke the ‘law’ on daca.


47 posted on 01/16/2020 8:18:33 AM PST by Theoria (I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive)
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To: Lockbox

“Funny, I do not find the GAO ruled Biden broke laws when he threaten to with hold $1 Billion Dollars”

True of course but that doesn’t help us now. Just saying “well Biden did it” won’t help save Trump. The GOP allowed the GAO to remain a rat tool now they pay the price or maybe the GOPe is happy. 5 days before the trail is no coincidence.


48 posted on 01/16/2020 8:18:37 AM PST by gibsonguy
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To: Swordmaker

Not throwing taxpayer money away is against the law while the FBI, the CIA, the AG office, the Obama white house all colluding to deny the people the right to a fair election is not.


49 posted on 01/16/2020 8:18:51 AM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (Out of the depths of leftist hell, I cry to you oh lord!)
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To: Swordmaker
Obama stalled military aid to Egypt in 2013 and it was eventually released in 2015. Where was the GAO then?
50 posted on 01/16/2020 8:20:50 AM PST by liberalh8ter (The only difference between flash mob 'urban yutes' and U.S. politicians is the hoodies.)
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To: dowcaet

Its funny. If Trump does something slightly different than the law specifically states. (Notice the constitution gives him full powers and authority in this area. Congress just gets to OK the money.) A slight change while still acting within the letter of the law is breaking the law. But Hillary and Obama break laws right and left. And there is nothing wrong. Odd. By the way, the GAO? What authority do they have here.


51 posted on 01/16/2020 8:21:01 AM PST by poinq
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel
Hi, Swordy!

Is the GAO tasked with determining violations of law under their charter? Are they part of the DOJ?

No, they are not. They aren’t part of the Executive Branch. From the GAO.gov website:

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the "congressional watchdog," GAO examines how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, reliable information to help the government save money and work more efficiently.

For example, we identified $214.7 billion in financial benefits in fiscal year 2019—a return of about $338 for every $1 invested in us. We also identified 1,418 other benefits that led to program and operational improvements across the government. Read the press release about these record numbers.

So, no, they do not have the power to determine if anyone has broken the law. That is not their charge. This is a gratuitous assertion.

52 posted on 01/16/2020 8:22:36 AM PST by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigot!)
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To: Swordmaker

I believe the GOP Congress appropriated military aid to Ukraine. Obama didn’t give it to them. Might have my facts slightly off but when that war was hot Obama gave them NOTHING. Blankets, disabled anti-mortar radar, etc.


53 posted on 01/16/2020 8:22:56 AM PST by lodi90
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To: poinq

I question the timing of all this. Regardless of the validity its all perception fodder for the Senate and the media. Deep State is making its move.


54 posted on 01/16/2020 8:22:58 AM PST by Nuke From Orbit
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To: Swordmaker
‪“Gene L. Dodaro became the eighth Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on December 22, 2010, when he was confirmed by the United States Senate. He was nominated by President Obama in September of 2010.‬
55 posted on 01/16/2020 8:25:10 AM PST by KeyLargo
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To: Swordmaker

> Title USC Ch. 17B: IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL

Ah. Thanks.

But the money was dispensed within the allotted time.

What’s the problem?


56 posted on 01/16/2020 8:25:50 AM PST by Westbrook
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To: Swordmaker

“So a bunch of Non-Partisan (but really Democrat) bureaucrats determined that President Trump, who is constitutionally in charge of Foreign Policy can be trumped by a budgetary allocation and forced to expend funds regardless of changing international situations?”

If the House Speaker picks up the phone and orders you to issue this press release... Dollars to donuts this is a little side distraction engineered by Nancy P.


57 posted on 01/16/2020 8:25:54 AM PST by Tallguy (Facts be d@mned! The narrative must be protected at all costs!))
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To: gibsonguy

Means nothing, the people who watch the view will care.
Most reasonable Americans agree with President Trump and have tuned out this nonsense


58 posted on 01/16/2020 8:26:00 AM PST by italianquaker
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To: Westbrook

Title X of the Act, also known as the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, specifies that the President may request that Congress rescind appropriated funds. If both the Senate and the House of Representatives have not approved a rescission proposal (by passing legislation) within 45 days of continuous session, any funds being withheld must be made available for obligation.


59 posted on 01/16/2020 8:26:15 AM PST by nwrep
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To: Westbrook

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title2/chapter17B&edition=prelim


60 posted on 01/16/2020 8:26:19 AM PST by Demian
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