Sen. Ron Johnson blocks Democrats' bill to undo Trump's $810 million funding cancellation

Ron Johnson (Sen-R Wisconsin) blocked a Democratic bill to undo President Trump's funding cuts. Democrats sought unanimous consent, a shortcut that passes a bill without a vote but dies if any one senator objects. The bill would also have barred presidents from asking Congress to cancel funds in the 90 days before the money runs out.

This was a pocket rescission, a funding cancellation timed to beat the clock. Trump sent his request to cancel the money on Sept. 25, five days before the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The law gives Congress 45 days to act on such a request, so the money expires first.

On the record:

• Johnson: "Personally, I wish it was a lot larger. That money doesn't have to be spent, and it shouldn't be spent."
• Patty Murray (Sen-D Washington): the cancellation is "theft from the American people, plain and simple."