WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government's watchdog agency said Thursday a White House office violated federal law in withholding security assistance to Ukraine.
The Government Accountability Office said in a report that the Office of Management and Budget violated the law in holding up the aid. The freeze is at the center of the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
The independent agency, which reports to Congress, said OMB violated the Impoundment Control Act in delaying the security assistance Congress authorized for Ukraine for “policy reasons,” rather than technical budgetary needs.
“Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law,” wrote the agency's general counsel, Thomas Armstrong, in the report.
OMB has argued the hold was appropriate and necessary.
“We disagree with GAO's opinion. OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President's priorities and with the law," said OMB spokeswoman Rachel Semmel.
Trump was impeached last month on charges of abusing his power for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rivals, as he was withholding the aid, and for obstructing Congress' ensuing probe. The Senate is set to begin its trial on Thursday.
Jeff King, senior director of global sustainability and social impact for Hersey's, talked to Cheddar about the candy giant's science-based plans to reduce its carbon footprint to tackle climate change.
President Joe Biden wants America to know that he’s from the government and he’s here to help.
President Joe Biden has ordered his administration to review Trump administration rules around campus sexual assaults that bolstered the rights of the accused.
Shelly Kapoor Collins, founder of the Shatter Fund, spoke to Cheddar on International Women's Day about the upcoming Shatter Summit, a one-day digital event celebrating women in leadership roles in various industries.
Fully-vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing.
Oprah Winfrey's interview with Meghan and Harry has produced several revelations.
Roger Harris, executive vice president and chief marketing and revenue officer at Amtrak, talked about the new station's role in Northeast transit amid the widespread changes in travel habits.
Child Benefit, Meghan and Harry Bombshells & Eminem vs. Gen Z
Semiconductors are essential in industries such as defense, automobiles, and telecom. Cheddar assembled a timeline of the chip shortage stretching back to the pre-Covid economy.
Jared Berstein, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, joined Cheddar about what's at stake for the economy despite a positive February jobs report.
