Article I: Abuse of Power Through Improper Impoundment of Congressionally Appropriated Funds

The Constitution grants Congress exclusive authority over Federal appropriations. The executive branch may not refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress except pursuant to authority provided by law. In his conduct as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Thurlow Vought abused the powers of his office by implementing policies and directives that interfered with Congress’ constitutional power of the purse. Specifically, on January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued Memorandum M–25–13 directing Federal agencies to temporarily pause obligations and disbursements of certain Federal financial assistance programs pending review by the Administration. The memorandum caused Federal agencies to suspend or delay implementation of programs funded through appropriations enacted by Congress. Subsequent litigation involving the Department of Energy further demonstrated that the Administration's withholding of congressionally appropriated funds was carried out for political purposes rather than pursuant to lawful budgetary authority. In Federal court, the Department of Energy acknowledged that political considerations were used in evaluating previously awarded clean energy grants and hydrogen hub projects, including whether projects were located in States perceived to support or oppose the Administration. Internal court filings further revealed that Department officials considered the political affiliation of affected States when determining which awards to terminate. These grants had been lawfully appropriated by Congress and competitively awarded pursuant to statutory authority. Rather than faithfully executing those appropriations, the Administration selectively terminated or withheld funding based upon political considerations unrelated to congressional directives or the governing statutes. Such conduct represents an unconstitutional interference with Congress' exclusive authority over appropriations and an abuse of executive power. The scope of these actions further demonstrates that they were not isolated incidents. On October 1, 2025, Director Vought announced the termination of approximately $8,000,000,000 in Department of Energy projects, after which the Department terminated 321 previously awarded grants affecting projects across sixteen States. Those awards had already been appropriated by Congress and competitively selected through established statutory processes. Russell Vought publicly advanced the position that the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 improperly restricts Presidential authority over Federal spending. During Senate confirmation proceedings, Vought stated that he agreed with the view that the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is unconstitutional. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly emphasized that the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 governs executive withholding of appropriated funds and requires congressional notification procedures when funds are withheld. The Government Accountability Office has reviewed multiple executive branch actions involving the withholding or proposed rescission of appropriated funds during Vought’s tenure at the Office of Management and Budget. The Government Accountability Office found that transparency regarding apportionments is essential to Congress’ oversight of Federal spending and the exercise of Congress’ constitutional power of the purse. By using the authority of the Office of Management and Budget to delay or restrict the availability of congressionally appropriated funds while advancing a legal theory that Congress’ restrictions are unconstitutional, Russell Thurlow Vought abused the authority entrusted to his office. Wherefore, Russell Thurlow Vought warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.