New Delhi, Sept. 26 -- US President Donald Trump has moved to cancel nearly $1 billion in federal spending that Congress had previously approved, using a rarely invoked and legally contested mechanism known as a "pocket rescission." The move, announced by the White House on September 25, targets programmes dealing with immigration, education, housing, minority-business development, healthcare research and international environmental initiatives.

The administration says the funds represent wasteful, duplicative or ideologically driven spending that no longer serves US taxpayers. Critics, including lawmakers from both parties, argue that the executive branch cannot effectively cancel money that Congress has appropriated without congression...