The President Richard Nixon's impoundments in the early 1970s—which prompted Congress to pass the Impoundment Control Act—totaled approximately how much?

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Nixon withheld approximately $18 billion in appropriated funds—an unprecedented assertion of executive power. Nixon would routinely sign appropriation bills then refuse to spend money for programs he opposed, without informing Congress or the public. Senator Hubert Humphrey revealed that Nixon had frozen funds for programs Congress had funded, violating the constitutional principle that Congress controls spending. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 gave Congress new tools to prevent presidential impoundments: the president must spend appropriated funds or notify Congress why not, and Congress can override presidential withholding by passing a resolution.

The President Richard Nixon's impoundments in the early 1970s—which prompted Congress to pass the Impoundment Control Act—totaled approximately how much?

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