Jayapal Statement on Trump’s Chaotic, Cruel, and Unconstitutional Funding Freeze
SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s attempted chaotic, cruel, and unconstitutional federal funding freeze, which was temporarily stayed by a federal judge:
“Donald Trump’s latest stunt steals vast amounts of Congressionally approved federal funds away from the American people. It is blatantly unconstitutional and has plunged our country into chaos and confusion, as people who are working hard every day to make ends meet suddenly face a funding freeze on approved programs. The Constitution is clear that President Trump cannot freeze this funding. Congress, not the President, has the power of the purse. This action is a lawless attack on our system of checks and balances.
“It is also unmitigated cruelty. By stealing American taxpayer dollars promised to communities across America, President Trump and Republicans are raising costs for working people, weakening national security, abandoning veterans, and jeopardizing public safety and community health. In my district, and across the country, people have been asking how Trump’s funding freeze has frozen them out.
“Seniors are asking if Meals on Wheels will arrive and children are wondering if their school lunch will be covered or if Donald Trump is going to leave them hungry.
“Parents are asking if they can drop their kids off at preschool or if Donald Trump just closed their classrooms.
“Cancer researchers are asking if their cutting-edge studies can continue or if Donald Trump shut down their lab.
“People in recovery are asking if their clinics are open or if Donald Trump abandoned communities fighting the fentanyl and substance use disorder epidemic.
“People on Medicaid are asking if the health care they rely on to survive will still be able to serve them or if Donald Trump just took away their access to care.
“Workers at active construction sites, firefighters beating back flames, and nurses at community health centers are asking if they still have a job or if Donald Trump just laid them off.
“This is exactly what Donald Trump laid out in his draconian Project 2025 agenda, which his advisors said was shaped for a ‘post-Constitutional era.’ Trump has begun the implementation of Project 2025, stacking his administration with billionaires who line their pockets while stealing money from the American people. This is only the first in what will be a long list of actions in which Donald Trump trashes the Constitution in order to do everything he can to undermine poor and working families.
“Democrats will fight this with everything we have: through the courts, through legislation, and with the American people, in the court of public opinion — and we call on every Member of Congress, regardless of party, to stand with us. Our Constitution and our country demand it.”
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