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.
Same GAO that said Obamacare was budget neutral?
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!
Not cited in either article of impeachment. Look it up for yourself.
Anyone wanna bet Pencil Neck was involved in this “decision”?
The whole idea of a "Government Accounting Office" seem rather oxymoronic.
GAO decisions do not come out of thin air. WHO are the people (Names and faces) who did this. Inquiring minds want to know.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
> Title USC Ch. 17B: IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL
Ah. Thanks.
But the money was dispensed within the allotted time.
What’s the problem?
“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.
Means nothing, the people who watch the view will care.
Most reasonable Americans agree with President Trump and have tuned out this nonsense
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.
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