#Washington, D.C. #Economic Support Fund #Unauthorized Spending #Federal Appropriations

Unmasking the Invisible: $510 Billion in Unauthorized Federal Spending

In a startling revelation, it has come to light that in the fiscal year 2023, an astonishing $510 billion was illicitly designated as federal spending. Among this staggering figure, $21.7 billion was secretly allocated to the Economic Support Fund (ESF), a program whose authorization expired back in 1987. This unprecedented event has ignited a legal battle that aims to hold Congress accountable for circumventing the appropriations process, challenging the very fabric of fiscal governance in the United States.

Scott M. Alexander, a former mayor and pro se plaintiff, initiated this significant legal challenge in March 2025. His lawsuit targets what he deems as unauthorized spending, specifically focusing on the funds headed to the ESF. This case, filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia under Case No. 125-cv-00934-APM, marks the first time in over 50 years that taxpayers are contesting federal appropriations under the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution.

The Core of the Challenge

The challenge encompasses a staggering total of 428 appropriation programs that operated without the necessary legal framework. These appropriations not only include the $21.7 billion directed to the ESF, but also extend to what has been deemed