# Pocket Rescission Poll Results
A poll conducted from September 27 to September 30, 2026, asked whether the President should have the authority to cancel previously appropriated federal funding without congressional approval. The question was prompted by President Trump's recent use of pocket rescission authority to cancel $810 million in spending across immigration, education, and housing programs.
The poll received no votes during its four-day run. This result prevents any assessment of how respondents viewed the underlying constitutional and practical question about presidential power over federal spending.
For context, a pocket rescission represents a contested executive authority to cancel federal spending that Congress has already approved and allocated to agencies. The legality and scope of this power remain disputed between the executive and legislative branches, making the question a live constitutional matter.
Those arguing in favor of such presidential authority contend that Presidents need flexibility to eliminate wasteful or ineffective spending without waiting for Congress to act. Proponents of this view emphasize that such authority becomes especially important when federal programs conflict with an administration's priorities or fiscal goals. They suggest that executive action can respond more quickly to changing circumstances than the legislative process permits.
Those opposing the authority argue that Congress controls the federal budget under the Constitution. Critics contend that allowing presidents to unilaterally cancel approved spending undermines legislative power and effectively lets executives override democratically made funding decisions. This perspective treats budget control as a core congressional function that should not be delegated or overridden.
The broader context involves ongoing tension between executive and legislative branches over spending authority, with legal challenges potentially determining whether pocket rescissions remain viable presidential tools.
Disclaimer: This was an unscientific, self-selected online poll conducted among Politics at Work users and should not be considered representative of any broader population. The zero-vote result limits any meaningful interpretation of respondent opinion on this question.