E&C Democratic Leaders Investigate Trump Administration’s Illegal Efforts to Freeze Federal Funding
Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic leaders wrote to several federal agencies in the Committee’s jurisdiction today demanding to know what steps are being taken to comply with the Constitution and orders from federal judges which require that the agencies immediately release congressionally appropriated funds. The seven Committee leaders demanded answers after President Trump issued illegal executive actions attempting to stop federal funding from being dispersed.
The letters were sent by full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA), Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL), Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Yvette Clarke (D-NY).
“Since taking office, President Donald Trump has broken the law and put crucial, congressionally appropriated investments in American workers, businesses, and communities at risk,” the seven Committee leaders wrote. “As Ranking Members of the committee with jurisdiction over [your agency], we are writing to understand whether you intend to follow the Constitution, the law, and orders from federal judges, which all require that congressionally appropriated funds be released without delay.”
Letters were sent to the Administrators and Secretaries of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Commerce (DOC).
The letters are a direct response to a Trump executive order illegally directed agencies to pause disbursement of Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, and an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that went dramatically further by ordering federal agencies to pause all activities related to the disbursement of all financial assistance tied to a wide variety of programs, including health care. While OMB rescinded the memo two days later, the White House later issued a statement saying it was “NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze,” creating mass chaos and confusion.
“This chaotic rollout of an unconstitutional power grab by the President has left communities and organizations that are owed federal funding reeling,” Committee Democrats continued. “The full list of federal programs that Americans rely on is extensive and the harm of withholding these critical services is incalculable.”
The seven Committee leaders explained that the federal funding Trump is attempting to freeze is absolutely essential to a wide variety of necessary programs and priorities, including for cancer research, removing toxic lead pipes from our water systems, substance abuse treatment programs, boosting American manufacturing, ensuring every community has access to high-speed internet, and more. And while two separate courts have already ruled in favor of parties seeking to put a stop to this unconstitutional power grab, reporting continues to indicate that funds have still not been released as required.
“The government cannot simply walk away from its commitments on a whim unless the contract specifically allows for it, and there is no indication that the many agreements entered into by your agency have such provisions,” they wrote. “Workers and businesses are being harmed. Americans in need of care are being harmed. Congress and the American people therefore deserve answers.”
Energy and Commerce Democrats concluded by demanding answers to a series of questions, including:
- Whether the agencies intend to comply with the federal courts’ orders;
- If so, an explanation of what actions the agencies are taking to ensure compliance and when all funds covered by the orders will be released; or
- If not, a list of individuals responsible for the decision to not comply, and a description of the authorities those individuals believe permit them to violate orders from Article III judges.
Full text of the letters is available here: