Legislative Push to Repeal Nixon-Era Law

Leading the charge is Representative Andrew Clyde, a Republican from Georgia, who is advocating for the repeal of the Impoundment Control Act. This law, enacted during the Nixon administration in 1974, was designed to limit the President’s ability to unilaterally alter government spending.

Clyde asserts that repealing this law would empower Trump to further his policy goals, particularly regarding Elon Musk and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “I think it goes hand in hand with what DOGE is doing right now and with what the president has in mind to do, and that is to make our government more effective and more efficient,” he stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital.

Bringing Accountability to Federal Spending

Clyde elaborates on the intent behind the legislation: “They’re simply bringing the fraud, waste, and abuse to light. Then the rest of us, you know, the president and the executive need to take action on it. And then Congress needs to look at that and say, hey, we need to codify that into law to ensure that it remains beyond just this presidency.”

The bill has garnered support from over 20 Republican co-sponsors in the House, alongside a companion proposal in the Senate led by Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah.

Administration Support for Legislative Change

Clyde intends to present the proposed legislation to members of the Trump administration, which has historically pushed back against the constraints of the Impoundment Control Act. Russell Vought, recently confirmed as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has referred to the Act as unconstitutional—echoing sentiments expressed by Trump himself.

“Since the Empowered Control Act of ’74, we have seen a tremendous increase in spending. And I think that’s part of the problem right there,” Clyde remarked. He emphasized that the President is currently mandated by law to expend exactly the amount approved by Congress for specific programs.

Logic from Business Experience

Clyde shared insights from his background as a small business owner, comparing business efficiency to governmental operations. “If you can accomplish the same goal and be more financially efficient, I think you should be allowed to do that. And I believe the president has always had the authority to do that under the Constitution,” he said.

Trump’s Existing Control Over Federal Funds

The Trump administration has already exerted considerable control over federal spending commitments, notably pausing most foreign aid shortly after taking office. This decision was rooted in a desire to reassess existing funding streams.

However, parts of Trump’s funding freezes have faced legal challenges. Recently, a federal judge instructed the White House to comply with a prior ruling demanding the restoration of certain funding.