The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the Trump administration’s request to freeze $2 billion in foreign aid payments for already completed contract work.
Ali’s temporary restraining order ruled 5-4 on Wednesday morning to US District Judge Amir Ali “to clarify what obligations the government must fulfill to ensure compliance.”
In his dissent, Judge Samuel Alito wrote that he was “unstood” in the High Court’s decision. He was joined by Judge Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
“Do district court judges who are likely to lack jurisdiction have unconfirmed powers that are forced to make the US government pay $2 billion in taxpayer dollars (and likely lose it forever)?” Alito asked. “The answer to that question must be an emphasised ‘no’, but the majority of this court clearly believes it is. ”
According to veteran court reporter Amy Howe, Ali will soon hear about aid groups’ claims to stop the administration’s freeze on future foreign aid funds.
“Six days after Secretary John Roberts temporarily suspended Ali’s February 25th order, the short signature order came six days later, which ordered contractors and beneficiaries to be paid by 11:59pm on February 26th,” Howe wrote.
Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order halting the distribution of foreign aid funds, ensuring that the above funds are only paid in line with Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the freeze on all programs funded by the US Department of State and the US Agency for International Development.
In response to these actions, multiple aid groups filed lawsuits challenging the suspension, claiming that the freeze violated federal law and was unconstitutional.
Later last month, the Trump administration filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, asking for the group to leave an order that required them to pay $2 billion in foreign aid.
The government argued that the original payment deadline on February 26th “threw something that should be sorted into confusion by the government’s orderly review.”
“The Congress has created a complex statutory scheme with a court of competent jurisdiction to address the allegations that the government is borrowing money under contracts and other funding instruments,” the appeal argued.
“To be very clear, the government is committed to paying legitimate claims for work that are properly completed in accordance with its intact obligations and supported by the appropriate documentation. It seeks to navigate the evolving orders of the district courts and, as far as it can, the contractual innovation process that consumes resources afterwards.”
Since taking office, Trump has tried to significantly lower the level of USAID and the State Department’s foreign aid funding, claiming that the agency is engaged in a considerable amount of wasted spending.
The Trump administration plans to cut around 92% of USAID and State Department grants and contracts, according to a court of appeal submission from Trump administration lawyers.
Critics of his measure argue that the cuts are hurting legitimate foreign aid programs that benefit many people in poorer regions around the world.
Originally published by The Christian Post
