Judicial Ruling

D.C. Circuit - Foreign Aid Impoundment Ruling

D.C. Circuit ruled that the government violated the separation of powers by declining to spend congressionally appropriated foreign aid funds. Found the government 'has given no justification to displace the bedrock expectation that Congress's appropriations must be followed' and the government 'remain under a duty to comply with the appropriations laws.'

Ruling Against

Case Details

D.C. Circuit ruled that the government violated the separation of powers by declining to spend congressionally appropriated foreign aid funds. Found the government 'has given no justification to displace the bedrock expectation that Congress's appropriations must be followed' and the government 'remain under a duty to comply with the appropriations laws.'

Date Filed

2025-06-01

Status

Ruling Against

Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit

Outcome

Government ordered to comply with appropriations laws

Related Executive Actions (1)

Foreign Aid Funding Freeze

Secretary Rubio issued stop-work order January 24 freezing all foreign aid. Courts found the government violated the separation of powers by declining to spend congressionally appropriated funds. Judge Ali ordered nearly $2 billion in payments. Supreme Court restored the order 5-4 after Chief Justice Roberts' temporary stay. D.C. Circuit found the government 'has given no justification to displace the bedrock expectation that Congress's appropriations must be followed.'

Pending Litigation
Policy DirectiveForeign Policy
Department of State, USAID
2 challenges2025-01-24

Plaintiffs / Parties

  • Global Health Council
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