Schumer, Tonko vowing to fight Trump’s decision to freeze federal grants
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., participates in a debate against Republican challenger Joseph Pinion, hosted by Spectrum News 1, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, Pool)
Senate Democrats will fight President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze nearly all federal grants and loans, they said.
The White House announced the move Monday night, and it created widespread confusion for programs and organizations that rely on federal dollars.
More than 2,600 programs are affected, including school meals for low-income students, U.S. aid foreign assistance, mine inspections, the WIC Nutrition Program for pregnant women and infants, and a reintegration program for homeless veterans.
The memo specifies the pause will not affect social security or Medicare benefits, but Medicaid reimbursement portals were down Tuesday across the country.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the freeze will impact local communities.
“This is cruelty, this is lawlessness. This is a heist done on a national scale,” said Schumer. “The president does not have the authority to ignore the law, and we’re going to fight this in every way that we can.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Tonko released this statement:
“President Trump continues to blatantly ignore the law. His sweeping pause of all federal funding will do nothing but sow chaos while threatening hundreds of billions of dollars that are absolutely essential to our communities. This funding that the President halted drives cancer research, supports childhood learning programs, keeps small businesses afloat, delivers food assistance, and so much more. Further, these grants have already been approved by Congress — by Republicans and Democrats alike — and signed into law. President Trump is not a king, and he needs to stop acting like one.
“This is an unlawful, and reckless move that will hurt tens of millions. That this pain would be caused so that the Trump Administration can parse through each dollar to ensure the aid aligns with them politically is abhorrent. This funding has been delivered to our communities based on need, not ideology.
“Republicans must stand up for their communities and join us in demanding President Trump immediately rescind this unacceptable and illegal proposal.
“To all those in my district who have questions about the status of their own grant, know that I am closely tracking this issue and will share information with you as we receive it.”