The leading Republicans and Democrats on the congressional appropriations committees have raised quiet but firm objections to the White House's removal of a dedicated website that tracked federal expenditures, intensifying an ongoing conflict over spending authority between Congress and the executive branch.
Last month, these lawmakers sent a previously undisclosed letter to Russell T. Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, questioning the grounds for taking down the website—a move they and several advocacy organizations contend violates existing legal requirements.
"We anticipate collaborating with your office to reinstate public access to federal apportionment data in compliance with statutory obligations," the letter stated.
The letter bore the signatures of Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Senator Susan Collins of Maine, the Republican chairs of the House and Senate appropriations committees, alongside the senior Democratic members of those panels, Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Senator Patty Murray of Washington.
This joint bipartisan pushback is notable, reflecting growing congressional concern amid an assertive effort by the administration to challenge legislative control over federal spending.
Representative Cole’s endorsement marks a significant development, as he had previously refrained from joining a bipartisan letter criticizing the budget office’s handling of spending matters. In a brief statement, he expressed his support for restoring the website, a position also shared by Senator Collins.
