Jefferson first used by Jefferson in 1801 and it was considered a Presidential power and used by various Presidents up until Nixon. Congress had passed a budget allocation for the Clean Air Act (IIRC). Nixon vetoed it and Congress overrode the veto.
Nixon withheld the funds and was sued by Congress. The Supreme Court in, Train v. City of New York (1975), ruled that the Act prohibited the President, in this circumstance, from withholding funds in order to frustrate the intent of Congress.
The Supreme Court did not address the various possible arguments re: the unconstitutionality of the Act, only a strict interpretation of the exact wording of the Act.
It could also be argued that the decision also only applies when a veto and override existed, a narrow exception.
On another appeal to the Supreme Court could decide to rule the Act unconstitutional, without having to look to precedent.
The argument in the Ukraine matter ended up being whether it was intended to be and was expended before the end of the budget year. Which is in September.
The Act also permits the President to withhold funds for 45 days. This would provide time for his investigation, a finding against WHO and then blame Congress for not agreeing to agreeing to withhold the funds. He would have no choice.
A move he could also make under the Act would be to withhold funds not necessary to carrying out the intent of Congress. The argument would be that WHO had spent approximately $200 million dollars on unnecessary first class travel, 5star hotel suites, expensive meals etc. effectively being an unlimited expense account on the taxpayers of the U. S. Under the rationale that such expenditures were unnecessary and improper he could conceivably legally withhold up to the 200 million dollars.
He could take each individually or in conjunction with others.
These are just my thoughts on his possible courses of action and not a comment on the possible success of any of them. Ultimately that would be a question for the “wisdom” of the Supreme Court. they would add time to the question and disbursement.
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