Connecticut, 21 other states to sue White House budget office over federal grant freeze
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut and 21 other states will seek legal action against the White House budget office over its directive to freeze nearly all federal assistance, Attorney General William Tong announced Tuesday afternoon.
Late Monday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause 'all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.'
Trump administration freezes nearly all federal loans and grants
Matthew Vaeth, OMB's acting director, said in the memo that the temporary pause will give Trump's administration time to determine the 'best uses of the funding' for agency programs that are consistent with the law and Trump's 'priorities.'
According to the memo, the pause goes into effect at 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday. OMB may grant exceptions for certain awards on a case-by-case basis, the memo states.
During Tuesday's press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the memo would not impact Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, welfare and other assistance to individuals. She defended the freeze and said Trump's executive orders aimed at overhauling the federal workforce last week served as notice.
Trump administration defends federal funding freeze
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding issued a joint statement on Tuesday in response to the Connecticut Democrats' news conference.
It's no surprise that Connecticut Democrats, showcasing their penchant for theatrics over substance, are raising alarm over President Trump's common-sense efforts to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and align with his executive actions.
After all, these are the same individuals who believe taxpayers should foot the bill for placing tampons in boys' bathrooms in our schools.
Let's be clear: the President's federal funding pause is far from the doomsday scenario Democrats are peddling.
Their earlier claims are nothing more than an attempt to gaslight Connecticut residents.
If Attorney General Tong and his Democratic allies invested half as much effort into lowering costs for electric ratepayers and middle class families as they do defending criminal illegal aliens and librarians promoting sexualized content in schools, Connecticut families would be far better off.
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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