Morally Indignant Senate Democrats Pile on Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a coordinated response with Democratic governors to counter President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze, which aims to eradicate “wokeness” and the “weaponization of government” to improve government efficiency. The Office of Management and Budget issued a memo on Monday, pausing all federal grants and loans, claiming nearly $3 trillion was spent in 2024 on such assistance programs.
Schumer called Trump’s action “chaotic,” “careless,” and “cruel,” claiming it would shut off “billions, maybe trillions of dollars that average American families need.” He also stated that there are ongoing discussions between Capitol Hill Democrats and various Democratic governors on a coordinated response to Trump’s action.
Two dozen blue state attorneys general have already announced legal action to keep the federal grant, loan, and other aid flowing. Democrats said they have received an avalanche of phone calls from local officials, non-governmental organizations, charities, and individual constituents demanding to know if OMB’s memo meant taxpayer dollars they rely on to serve people were about to disappear.
The White House insists this freeze does not touch programs including Social Security, Medicare, or other entitlement payments. However, Schumer and other Democrats are concerned about the impact on various programs, including flood prevention, sewer construction projects, food banks, and nonprofit groups that treat addiction.
A federal judge has imposed a stay on Trump’s action, delaying it until Monday as a torrent of lawsuits against the administration were announced this week. New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 22 other attorneys general suing to stop the implementation of the memo.
Republicans have mostly backed Trump, insisting that the new presidential administration has a right to examine how taxpayer dollars are spent. However, Democrats are concerned that Trump’s actions have endangered chances for a bipartisan spending agreement when the government funding deadline arrives in March.
