The Trump administration violated federal law by withholding funding for a $5 billion federal electric vehicle charging program tied to the bipartisan infrastructure law, government watchdogs said Thursday.
The Government Accountability Office unveiled a report that concluded the Department of Transportation’s decision to halt funding for the EV charging program violated a “recording statute” and was not allowed under the Impoundment Control Act, which stipulates how and when the president can delay or rescind funding that’s been enacted by Congress.
The report was signed by Edda Emmanuelli Perez, GAO’s general counsel, who in recent weeks has reiterated publicly that the agency is independent, is nonpartisan and works for Congress. Gene Dodaro, who is head of GAO in his role as U.S. comptroller, was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by Congress in 2010. His 15-year term ends this year.
GAO’s finding takes direct aim at an order that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued in February, which halted funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.
