GOP Lawmakers Stand by Trump’s Grant Freeze Decision

January 29, 2025 TruthUSA

Critics filed lawsuits to halt the pause, arguing it contravenes a 1974 statute designed to safeguard funds already approved by Congress.

On January 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a temporary suspension of federal grant and loan disbursements, mandating a thorough review by agencies of taxpayer expenditure.

According to an OMB memorandum, “This temporary pause will allow the administration to assess agency programs and identify the most effective deployment of funding for those programs in alignment with the law and presidential priorities.”

“By February 10, 2025, agencies are required to submit comprehensive information to OMB about any programs, projects, or activities affected by this pause.”

The White House clarified on January 28 that this suspension does not impact individual assistance programs like Medicare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; rather, it aims to freeze funding for programs terminated by Executive Order from President Donald Trump.

On January 28, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the World Health Organization was to receive $37 million despite Trump’s withdrawal of the U.S. from that organization on his first day in office.

An additional $50 million was set aside for condom distribution in Gaza.

“This is an outrageous squandering of taxpayer resources,” she declared during a press event.

The suspension provoked swift backlash from Trump’s adversaries, who claim it infringes upon the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

This law typically prevents the president from delaying funds already authorized by Congress, although some limitations may exist under specific circumstances.

Before the order was scheduled to commence at 5 p.m. ET on January 28, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan temporarily suspended parts of the order’s implementation until February 3, awaiting further hearings.

This ruling came in reaction to a suit led by the National Council of Nonprofits, along with additional lawsuits from the attorneys general of New York, California, and Massachusetts.

Some Republican lawmakers attending the Republican Issues Conference in Dalios, Florida, expressed their backing for the funding freeze, highlighting that it would give the new administration a chance to verify the proper allocation of federal funds.

“We’re going to identify who the Coalition for Green Capital is, so we can find out who received $5 billion of your taxpayer money,” stated Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.).

Rep. Lisa McClain shared her enthusiasm for the pause, saying, “I believe it’s a smart move. It’s been a long time coming,” and expressing hope that it would “set a precedent” for enhanced accountability regarding taxpayer spending.

When questioned about concerns surrounding Trump’s potential bypassing of Congress, McClain expressed confidence that Trump would “return to Congress” to formalize his changes into law.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) conveyed to The Epoch Times his understanding of the worries regarding funding relief for low-income Americans, but he reiterated the necessity for transparency and thorough examination.

“It feels great for Congress to declare, ‘Oh, we’re going to assist the needy with this social program,’” he remarked.

“However, you later discover that a significant portion of the funds intended to aid the needy is consumed by administrative expenditures, bureaucracy, and improper payments… As chairman of the Oversight Committee, I can tell you we have sought substantial information from the Biden administration, yet we have not received anything.”

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