California, six other states sue Trump administration over federal funds

California and six other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing it of withholding federal funds approved by Congress, including about $810 million the White House moved to cancel before the fiscal year ended.



Last week, US President Donald Trump sought to unilaterally withhold the funds approved by Congress for spending on immigration, race and education. The White House deployed a technique known as a "pocket rescission" for the move.



The lawsuit sets up a fresh legal clash over the limits of presidential spending power.



A pocket rescission — sending Congress a request to cancel funds so close to the end of a fiscal year that they expire before lawmakers can act — has drawn bipartisan criticism as an attempt to circumvent Congress' constitutional authority over federal spending.



The lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California and led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues that the administration's refusal to spend appropriated money violates the Constitution's separation of powers, appropriations and presentment clauses.