Can a president delay congressional spending?

Yes a president has the authority to delay congressional spending. The president has the power to veto legislation which may include legislation that sets appropriations for federal agencies or programs. A presidential veto of a spending bill can prevent congressional spending from taking effect. The president can also delay the spending through a line-item veto which allows the president to veto individual items within a spending bill. Additionally the president can refuse to spend money that Congress has already appropriated. This is known as a rescission and requires the president to notify Congress of his intention to delay the spending.

The following steps are necessary for a president to delay congressional spending:

• The president must veto the spending bill.
• The president can veto individual items within a spending bill using a line-item veto.
• The president can refuse to spend money that Congress has already appropriated by issuing a rescission.
• The president must notify Congress of his intention to delay the spending.

These steps provide the president with the authority to delay congressional spending.