The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in its effort to withhold approximately $4 billion in foreign aid funds authorized by Congress.

The Justice Department filed the request to halt an order by U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, which requires the administration to spend the disputed funds rather than clawing them back.

The big picture: The $4 billion in question was designated by Congress for foreign aid, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and democracy-promotion efforts overseas. • Congress appropriated about $11 billion in foreign aid last year, with a Sep. 30 deadline to spend or obligate the funds before they expire at the end of the fiscal year. • After lawsuits from aid groups expecting to compete for the funding, the administration announced

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