The proposed legislation aims to allocate $25 million for contesting withheld funds and another $25 million for legal assistance aimed at ‘vulnerable’ Californians.
On February 3, California’s Democratic lawmakers sanctioned $50 million in emergency funds for the state to challenge federal actions viewed as antagonistic.
Two urgent legislative proposals—SBX1-1 and SBX1-2—are set to be reviewed by the state Senate.
This legislation is intended to protect the state from what is described as the Trump administration’s “unlawful and unconstitutional” actions, according to a statement issued by state lawmakers.
“The votes I cast today signify more than mere politics—they’re about defending the Constitution, upholding the law, and advocating for our most vulnerable communities,” stated Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, who represents the East Bay in San Francisco.
Wicks described recent actions taken by Trump and other Republicans as a “direct assault on the people and values of California.”
This week, Trump’s administration has resumed deporting hundreds of undocumented criminals nationwide, and last week, it put a hold on federal grant and loan funding pending a review of expenditures. This latter action was blocked by a federal judge.
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In a move to “Trump-proof” the state, California state lawmakers convened a special session on December 2, 2024, ahead of Trump’s inauguration scheduled for January 20.
Governor Gavin Newsom postponed the special session on January 14 due to the ongoing and devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County.
Once the legislation is passed by the Senate, Newsom is anticipated to sign it, benefiting from the Democrats’ supermajority in the chamber. Prior to the pause in the special session, Newsom had vowed to confront Trump “when lives are endangered and freedoms are under attack.”
“California stands as a pillar for the nation—from innovation to safeguarding and investing in rights and liberties for everyone,” Newsom stated on December 2.
The first bill approved Monday, SBX1-1, seeks to amend the 2024 budget to allocate $25 million to the Department of Justice to initiate legal action against the federal government over the withholding of emergency aid.
Should the second bill pass in the Senate and receive the governor’s signature, it would allocate $25 million toward providing legal assistance for “Californians and immigrant communities.” This funding will cover free legal services for “especially vulnerable” individuals, including veterans, disabled persons, unaccompanied youth, individuals facing eviction, the elderly, and victims of domestic violence, wage theft, and human trafficking.
Republican Minority Leader Assemblyman James Gallagher speaks to the Legislature on Aug. 31 in Sacramento. Gallagher on Feb. 3 questioned the priorities of the Democratic majority after the Assembly approved funding to “Trump-proof” the state. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times
The legislative funding will not be allocated for legal services aimed at defending those convicted of violent or serious felonies, as stated by Assembly Democrats.
“In California, we are committed to achieving tangible results,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas remarked in a statement on Monday.
California’s Democratic leadership is experienced in challenging Trump’s initiatives. Throughout his first term, the state embarked on legal action against the administration 123 times from 2017 to 2021 and incurred costs of approximately $10 million annually for these efforts, as reported by CalMatters.
Additionally, the state enacted the California Values Act in 2018, which prohibits the use of state and local resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican, voiced his concerns on social media regarding the Democrats’ priorities.
“Message to CA Dem legislators: authorizing $25 million of taxpayer dollars to pay lawyers to sue Donald Trump does not address affordability and fails to provide protection from wildfires. These are misplaced priorities,” Gallagher posted on the platform X.
