Bill would allow local governments a “right of action” to challenge impounded funds.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Dave Min (CA-47) and Eugene Vindman (VA-7) introduced the Protecting Our Constitution and Communities Act (POCCA), which will strengthen the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and provide local government with an avenue for redress when congressionally-appropriated funds are wrongfully frozen by the executive branch. In response, USCM President Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther released the following statement:
“No local government can succeed under the threat of sudden and arbitrary funding freezes by the executive branch. Many critical programs in America’s cities rely on competitive federal grants and the funding Congress has appropriated for them. Suddenly halting federal funds to programs supporting affordable housing, infrastructure and public safety––without the consent of Congress––upends the constitutional system our founders put in place. America’s mayors applaud the Representatives’ leadership in reasserting Congressional authority over federal funding and providing an avenue for local governments to protect their federal funds from being wrongfully frozen. We urge congressional leaders to advance this legislation and protect Congress’s control over federal spending.”