Pelosi Statement on GAO Finding that Trump Broke the Law by Withholding Aid to Ukraine
Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that the Trump Administration violated the law by withholding security assistance to Ukraine:
"The Government Accountability Office has confirmed that the President's actions at the center of our impeachment articles, withholding Congressionally-approved military aid from Ukraine, broke the law.
"The GAO stated, ‘Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA.'
"The GAO also reaffirmed that the President's cover-up is ongoing and endangers our Constitution, stating, ‘we consider a reluctance to provide a fulsome response to have Constitutional significance.' Despite what the President says, Article II does not mean that he can do whatever he wants.
"This important ruling further strengthens the House's case for impeachment and removal, and reinforces the need for a fair trial in the Senate that includes documents and witnesses. No one is above the law."
# # #