Executive orders by President Trump have led to confusion for state and local governments, nonprofits and other groups. Among those is an apparent freeze on federal spending programs, which critics say violates the Congressional power of the purse. Stephen Voss is an associate professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, specializing in American politics.
“If Donald Trump's orders end up causing a revisitation of the Impoundment Act, it won't be the first time federal courts have considered the meaning of that legislation, but every situation is different.”
The 1974 Impoundment Act restricts a president’s ability to limit funds appropriated by Congress and has been affirmed by the Supreme Court. However, the makeup of today’s court is far different, with three members appointed by President Trump. Voss said Trump may be playing the long game with the flurry of executive orders.
“Even if many of his executive orders get overturned, even if ultimately the changes Donald Trump tries to impose don't happen, both politically and maybe to a degree, in turn, in a policy sense, by creating the disruption. Donald Trump wins in terms of his policy goals.”
Voss used a baseball analogy, saying some of the president's executive orders are like a bunt – the batter’s likely to be thrown out, but other baserunners will advance.
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