'This is my time': Kristi Noem scolded as she stonewalls on withholding federal grants

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) grilled Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about her agency's decision to withhold federal grant money without permission from Congress.

"Let's start with Article 1 [of the Constitution], which gives Congress and only Congress the power of the purse," Underwood told Noem at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday. "But this administration is freezing, terminating, and even clawing back federal grants and awards that were already signed into law."

"So, Secretary, let me ask you, do you believe the administration has the authority to subvert appropriations law to freeze and terminate congressional funding?" the lawmaker asked.

"The administration and the Department of Homeland Security used our authorities that we have to evaluate every grant that was in front of us and made statutory requirements, but also to make sure that they were being spent appropriately," Noem replied, adding, "So, of course, the president is within his authority."

"Ma'am, this is my time. Thank you so much," Underwood interrupted. "What I'm asking is whether you believe that you have the authority to ignore appropriations law."

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"We have evaluated grants to make sure if they're being spent appropriately, and work that is underway and was authorized has continued," Noem insisted.

"I'm talking broadly, ma'am, and Article 2 does not give the executive the authority to withhold funds, period, and multiple courts have weighed in to agree," Underwood said. "Multiple courts have ruled in agreement. Congress controls the power of the purse."

"That is a fact that's not a question," she added. "That is a fact, and so if the president disagrees with certain spending, Congress passed the Impoundment Act to create a legal process to seek rescissions, and we expect him to follow the law."

Watch the video below from House Appropriations.