A major focus of the markup was an extended and often heated debate over executive-branch authority to withhold or rescind funds that Congress has appropriated. Lawmakers repeatedly framed the issue as constitutional: whether the president and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may unilaterally defer or cancel appropriated funds via pocket rescissions.

Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and several Democrats said the administration's recent rescission actions were illegal and amounted to an unlawful bypass of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prescribes how the executive may ask Congress to rescind or defer funding. Rep. Hoyer argued that GAO and other nonpartisan offices have concluded aspects of the administration's pocket rescission proposals are inconsistent with law. "If we allow a president to pick and choose which laws to enforce and which dollars to spend, then my friends, we have shredded Article I," he said during remarks recorded in committee.

Republicans said the administration had the authority to pursue budget discipline and to manage spending. Subcommittee Chairman Joyce and supporters argued long-standing executive flexibility exists and that disputed actions were being managed under existing authorities or the courts.

The committee voted on a DeLauro amendment to create and fund an independent Office of Inspector General within OMB (she said the IG would prevent waste and rebuild public trust). Chairman Joyce opposed the amendment, noting OMB sits in the Executive Office of the President and citing alternative oversight mechanisms. The amendment failed on a recorded vote (recorded vote: ayes 28, noes 32). Members discussed GAO's role and a separate nonbinding proposal to direct GAO to study modern budget execution laws and recommend reforms.

Members on both sides said they would continue oversight. Several Democrats framed votes against the IG and for executive discretion as weakening Congress's power of the purse and vowed to pursue further tools to protect appropriations law.

Quotes
"If we allow a president to pick and choose which laws to enforce and which dollars to spend, then my friends, we have shredded Article I of the Constitution," Rep. Steny Hoyer (ranking member) said during debate.

"OMB is part of the Executive Office of the President. The EOP, including OMB, are charged with implementing the president's policies," Chairman Joyce said opposing the creation of an OMB IG.

Provenance
- topicintro: transcript block at s=7507.875 (DeLauro amendment introduction)
- topfinish: transcript block at s=8140.76 (final recorded roll call began)