(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a multi-state coalition that is preparing to sue the Trump Administration for illegally and unconstitutionally freezing federal funding.
In a virtual press conference this afternoon, New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, announced plans to launch a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for illegally and unconstitutionally freezing the majority of federal funding.
Yesterday, January 27, 2025, the President’s Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum instructing federal agencies to stop disbursing all federal funding, set to take effect at 5:00 p.m. today, January 28, 2025.
However, federal funds are already being withheld, according to Attorney General James, including Head Start funding in Michigan, child developement block grants in Maryland, Medicaid reimbursement systems in at least 20 states, and child support enforcement in one state.
The coalition of Attorneys General seek to procure a court order that temporarily block the instructed freezing of funds. “There is no question this policy is reckless, dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional.” said James. “From the families that rely on Head Start for childcare, to the children across the country who depend on SNAP for their next meal, to the seniors who rely on state services to get the care they need, this policy will disrupt the lives of millions of Americans in New York and nationwide.”
Following the implementation of the Impoundment Control Act, in order for a president to exercise the use of impoundment (declining to spend congressionally appropriated funds), the President must submit a request to Congress regarding funds they do not want disbursed. Once a request is submitted, Congress must approve it within 45 days to prevent the funds from being disbursed. If Congress does not approve the request within that timeframe, the funds will be disbursed.
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