Congress Faces Major Funding Decisions Amid Executive Budget Power Expansion

Under President Donald Trump's administration, the executive branch has increasingly asserted control over federal spending, challenging the traditional budgetary authority of Congress. The administration has successfully advanced its fiscal agenda, including adopting the fiscal year 2025 appropriations, enacting tax breaks, and proposing significant domestic spending cuts for fiscal year 2026. This shift has raised legal concerns regarding the use of tactics such as delaying or rescinding funds, prompting discussions about Congress potentially reasserting its constitutional power of the purse. Meanwhile, Congress faces a crucial decision on whether to return to the traditional appropriations process or rely on temporary funding measures to avoid a government shutdown by September 30, 2025. A bipartisan group of former lawmakers and scholars has proposed legislative reforms aimed at restoring congressional authority that has eroded over decades due to expanded executive power. The ongoing tension highlights a fundamental debate about the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in managing federal budgets and spending priorities.