Thread by @themarketswork

Am I seeing this correctly:

1) Trump signed omnibus bill w/redlined "suggestions"
2) Congress "promises" to vote (post-Trump signing) on increase from $600 to $2,000
3) Congress "promises" to repeal or amend Section 230
4) Congress "promises" to look into voter fraud

WTH???

Some are saying Trump has not yet signed. Not what I'm seeing:

https://twitter.com/JuddPDeere45/status/1343364188274642946

Here we go:

"I am demanding many rescissions under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974..."

"The ICA requires that the President send a special message to Congress identifying the amount of the proposed rescission; the reasons for it; and the budgetary, economic, and programmatic effects of the rescission."

budget.house.gov/publications/r…

"Upon transmission of such special message, the President may withhold certain funding in the affected accounts for up to 45 legislative session days."

"If a law approving the rescission is not enacted within the 45 days, any withheld funds must be made available for obligation."
gao.gov/assets/700/695…

45 Days are Legislative Days:

"The continuity of a session of Congress is only broken if either House adjourns for more than three days to a day certain, or upon an adjournment of Congress sine die."

But...
gao.gov/assets/700/695…

Pro Forma Sessions may be an issue:

"As a result of Congress’s current practice of conducting pro forma sessions, this 45-day period is likely to be 45 calendar days after the date of transmission of the special message."

Re: Pro Forma Sessions

https://twitter.com/themarketswork/status/1157384692909260800?s=20

Side note. Here's full White House Statement:
whitehouse.gov/briefings-stat…

"A 2018 Government Accountability Office legal opinion holds that if the President proposes a rescission, he or she must make the affected funds available to be prudently obligated before the funds expire, even if the 45-day clock is still running."
gao.gov/assets/700/695…

Note that WH Statement wording uses “rescission" (seek the permanent cancellation of funds for fiscal policy or other reasons) as opposed to "deferral" (temporarily withhold funds from obligation) which has certain implications - including on timing.