First Focus Campaign for Children led nearly three dozen national, state and local organizations in urging Congress to protect its constitutional “power of the purse” and prevent any unilateral executive action to defer or impound funds that Congress appropriated by including strong guardrails in FY 2026 appropriations legislation.
“Federal appropriations bills signed by the president are laws detailing congressional priorities that include children’s health, nutrition, education, safety, and well-being,” these members of the Campaign’s Children’s Budget Coalition said in a letter to leaders of the House and Senate. “Allowing executive agencies to override or ignore appropriations laws whether through impoundments, agency reorganizations, interagency agreements designed to circumvent existing law, or other backdoor attempts at redirecting appropriations ignores Congress’ Article I authority. Further, this blatant disregard for Congress’ power of the purse threatens both democratic accountability and the stability of vital programs that millions of children and families rely on to afford their everyday basic needs.”