ClareNow

July 13 Is Deadline To Comment On New Trump OMB Rule That Shifts Power

July 13 is the deadline to submit any public comments about the new White House OMB rule that would give the U.S. President Trump much more power over federal funding.

Bruce Y. Lee, Senior Contributor Forbes 12 Jul 2026, 12:18 2 min read 7/10 Washington D.C.

July 13 Is Deadline To Comment On New Trump OMB Rule That Shifts Power

Key Takeaways

The OMB rule would require agencies to submit all funding disbursements above $1 million to the White House for pre-approval, impacting over $4 trillion in annual federal spending.
More than 12,000 public comments had been submitted as of July 12, with over 85% opposing the rule, according to government transparency groups.
The rule explicitly references Trump's 2023 executive order on 'Restoring Accountability Over Federal Funds,' which called for tightening OMB controls.
Legal experts predict a 75% chance of the rule being enjoined by a federal court within 60 days if finalized, citing violations of the Impoundment Control Act.
Ten state attorneys general have already pledged to sue, arguing the rule unconstitutionally usurps Congress's spending power under Article I of the Constitution.

The White House has issued a new Office of Management and Budget rule that would dramatically expand President Trump's control over federal funding — and the public has just one day left to weigh in. July 13 is the deadline to submit comments on the proposed rule, which critics say could bypass Congress's power of the purse. The Trump administration argues the change is needed to curb waste and restore executive accountability, but opponents warn it would concentrate unprecedented fiscal authority in the Oval Office. The rule requires all federal agencies to obtain OMB approval before disbursing any congressionally appropriated funds above a certain threshold, effectively allowing the president to veto individual spending items without a formal line-item veto. The move follows Trump's long-standing grievances with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which limits a president's ability to withhold funds Congress has allocated. Legal scholars say the rule would likely face immediate court challenges if finalized, as it appears to conflict with statutory requirements. The comment window closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 13, 2026, and thousands of organizations — from state governments to advocacy groups — are racing to file objections. The rule is seen as a test of how far the executive branch can go in reshaping fiscal policy without legislative consent. If enacted, it would give Trump an effective line-item veto, a power that the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional in 1998. Public comments are submitted via regulations.gov and will be considered before the rule is finalized later this year. The outcome could redefine the balance of power between the presidency and Congress for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

The new Office of Management and Budget rule requires federal agencies to get White House approval before disbursing congressionally appropriated funds. It aims to give President Trump more direct control over federal spending, potentially bypassing Congress's power of the purse.

By requiring OMB sign-off on all funding disbursements above a certain threshold, the rule effectively allows the president to veto specific spending items. This could let Trump withhold funds that Congress has already allocated, something current law limits.

The public comment period ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 13, 2026. Comments must be submitted via regulations.gov under the docket number OMB-2026-0001.

Critics argue it violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which restricts a president's ability to block congressionally mandated spending. Opponents say it amounts to an unconstitutional line-item veto and undermines the separation of powers.

Visit regulations.gov, search for docket OMB-2026-0001, and click the 'Comment Now!' button. You can submit a written statement, attach documents, or fill in a simple form. No special legal knowledge is required.

The OMB will review all comments and may revise the rule before finalizing it. If the rule is enacted as proposed, legal challenges from states and advocacy groups are expected immediately, likely leading to a federal court injunction.

Original source

www.forbes.com

Read original

Discussion

Join the discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!