Protecting TN-9 from Trump's Illegal Federal Funding Freeze
Dear Friend,
Thank you for contacting me regarding President Trump’s Executive Order to freeze all federal grant and loan programs. I appreciate your interest in this important issue.
As you know, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo calling for a spending freeze on federal assistance by 5pm on Tuesday, January 28th. This order would have withheld critical assistance from the middle class, working people, and the vulnerable. Freezing federal funding for grants would greatly harm our community.
Late Tuesday afternoon, a federal judge in the District of Columbia temporarily blocked the freeze. The District Judge, Loren AliKhan, said she would issue a more permanent decision on Monday, February 3rd.On Wednesday, January 29th, the White House announced they are rescinding the freeze order. However, I am still monitoring this issue closely as they may come back with a new order.
I strongly believe a move for a blanket pause on federal disbursements is blatant executive branch overreach and unconstitutional. The Constitution gives Congress the power to tax and spend—the power of the purse, and nowhere does it give the President unilateral power to either temporarily or permanently impound—steal, withhold, or prevent from being spent—funds appropriated by Congress.
Our Founding Fathers were right to give Congress this power. If the President had the unilateral power to decline to spend resources as directed by Congress, those who rely on Social Security, Medicare, Veterans benefits, and other federal spending programs would be subject to the whims of the Executive.
The American people depend on promises made by Congress. Congressional appropriations are the law of the land, not mere suggestions to the President. As your Representative, please rest assured that I will continue to fight any illegal attempts to hold up funding Congress has directed for communities across America.
It is important to me to hear the views of my constituents. Please feel free to contact me at any time in the future to voice your opinions on issues before Congress.
If you are in need of assistance with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or other federal agencies, please click here for more information.
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress