20 states sue the Trump admin for cutting disaster prevention money
The BRIC programme, established in 2018, was designed to cover up to 75 per cent of infrastructure project costs, or 90 per cent in rural areas, aimed at protecting communities from natural catastrophes. Over the past four years, FEMA had allocated approximately \$4.5 billion in grants for nearly 2,000 projects, many benefiting coastal states, funding initiatives from evacuation shelters to flood walls and improvements to roads and bridges. The administration, however, cited the programme as wasteful, ineffective, and politicised when announcing its termination.
"By unilaterally shutting down FEMA's flagship pre-disaster mitigation program, Defendants have acted unlawfully and violated core separation of powers principles," the states, spearheaded by Washington and Massachusetts, asserted in their filing. Neither FEMA nor the US Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The legal action comes as FEMA faces heightened scrutiny following its response to deadly floods in Texas earlier this month, which claimed over 130 lives. This event has intensified focus on the administration's broader efforts to reduce the agency's scope or even abolish it. A bipartisan group of lawmakers had previously urged FEMA in May to reinstate the grants, emphasising their particular importance for rural and tribal communities, and called for collaboration with Congress to enhance the programme's efficiency.
The states further argue that Congress designated disaster mitigation as a core function of FEMA, asserting that the US Constitution and federal law prohibit the Trump administration from altering the agency's mission without legislative input. They also allege that Cameron Hamilton and his successor, David Richardson, who served as acting directors of FEMA when the programme was terminated, were not properly appointed and therefore lacked the authority to cancel it. The states are now seeking a preliminary injunction to compel the programme's reinstatement while the case proceeds, marking the latest in a series of challenges by states against the Trump administration's approach to disaster funding. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, a Democrat, underscored the critical need for federal funding in light of the recent Texas floods. "By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the BRIC program, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives," she stated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
House Ethics Committee orders AOC to pay nearly $3,000 for Met Gala dress
The House Ethics Committee has directed US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to make additional payments concerning her 2021 Met Gala appearance. The committee's investigation revealed she did not fully adhere to Gift Rule regulations, having accepted free admission for her partner and underpaid for certain outfit items. Although Ocasio-Cortez had paid nearly $1,000 for her ′Tax the Rich′ gown and accessories, the panel assessed their fair market value at over $3,700. She has been advised to pay an extra $2,733.28 and contribute $250 to the Met's Costume Institute for her partner's meal. The committee found no evidence of intentional underpayment by Ocasio-Cortez, and her chief of staff confirmed she accepts the ruling and will settle the remaining amounts.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Feeling flush? Americans can Venmo government to help pay off US debt
John F Kennedy's sage words from his inaugural address are forever seared into America's political consciousness: 'Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.' Six decades and some change later, the United States Treasury is keeping Kennedy's spirit alive by offering Americans with a few dollars collecting dust in their Venmo balance a chance to fulfill a new patriotic duty: helping pay off the national debt. The US treasury department has long had a 'Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt' page available for those that dislike traditional charity, feel like they don't pay enough in taxes, or simply want to help the country stay No 1 in an eclectic list of superlatives that includes military spending, Olympic gold medals, prison population, corn subsidies, and healthcare costs. But the new-age, Gen Z-friendly method of payment is a recent addition, first flagged on Twitter by Planet Money's Jack Corbett. A bipartisan punching bag that trades sides of the aisle depending on who's in office and who needs funds earmarked for projects in their state, concern over the national debt is one of few issues that Democrats and Republicans can unite on. Also bipartisan is the debt's growth, which has increased every year since 2001, when it sat at $10.28tn. As of this writing, the debt has ballooned to $36.72tn. America is on track to continue the trend, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that Trump's Big Beautiful Bill will add $3.4tn to the debt over the coming decade. It is unclear how much money Trump and Elon Musk's 'Doge' saved, although analysis estimates the number at under the advertised $180bn, and a far cry short of the initially advertised $2tn. The federal government spent $6.75tn in Fiscal Year 2024 while collecting $4.92tn in revenue. Highlights of past and present government spending include the $151bn procurement process for the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense project, over $2tn on Lockheed Martin's long delayed F-35 fighter jet, and roughly $800bn in annual spending on the Pentagon, which recently failed its seventh audit in a row. Kind-hearted Americans have gone above and beyond their regular tax-paying duties contributing around $67.3m since 1996. That's enough to fund 20 minutes of the US government's spending habit. If Americans could dig into their couch cushions, eat less takeout, and tighten their belts, they might be able to tackle the problem once and for all. It would only take about $107,000 per person, payable via ACH, Paypal, credit or debit card, and now, Venmo.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Social Security makes screeching U-turn on controversial policy
Social Security will continue mailing paper checks — in a major U-turn from a previously announced plan. The agency had planned to halt checks after September 30 to cut costs and reduce fraud, shifting entirely to electronic payments. Paper checks cost about 50 cents to issue, compared with 15 cents for direct deposits, officials said. But the agency has now reversed course, saying that it will continue to issue paper checks for Americans who have no other means of getting payments, a spokesperson confirmed to This includes both recipients of retirement and disability benefits. Despite the about-face, the agency urged people to switch to direct deposit if they can. 'We will continue to drive down paper check volume, which is less than 1 percent of total,' the spokesperson said. The news comes as a grim new forecast this week warned Social Security's retirement fund is set to run short in just seven years — which could end up meaning benefits will be slashed for millions of recipients. The check U-turn came after pushback from Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. Warren met with Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano on Wednesday and asked about the plan to discontinue paper checks, according to CBS News. 'There are about 600,000 Americans who still receive their paper checks — it's a small fraction of people who receive Social Security payments, but it's a population that often needs checks through paper' instead of through electronic deposit, Warren said. She added that Bisignano made a commitment that 'no one would be left behind.' Millions of Americans are 'unbanked,' which means they do not have a traditional checking or savings account at a bank or credit union. The reasons why can vary, from past money mistakes to losing a job or not having enough money to meet minimum balance requirements. These people tend to rely on alternative banking services, such as check cashing establishments, in order to access vital funds. But paper checks are also more than 16 times more likely to be reported stolen or lost compared to electronic transfers, according to government data. There is also a higher chance that they will be returned deliverable or altered. The policy reversal came after pushback from Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren Social Security relies on its trust funds to provide monthly benefit checks to around 70 million Americans who still receive paper checks but are able to switch can provide a bank account or credit union for direct deposits or an approved pre-paid debit card. Registration can be completed at the government's Go Direct website. The policy reversal comes after latest forecasts painted a grim picture for the future of the program. Social Security's retirement fund is set to run short in just seven years — which could end up slashing benefits for millions of Americans by thousands of dollars a year. According to latest projections, retirees could face automatic 24 percent benefit cuts as early as the end of 2032. This means a couple who both worked would receive $18,100 less each year if they retire at the start of 2033. The new forecast from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), released Thursday, moves up the insolvency date for both Social Security and Medicare trust funds. A projection just last month had funds lasting until 2033, but that has already been revised. A major factor is the impact of President Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill ', which experts warned would speed up the use of funds.
