Rep. Chu Statement on Illegal Trump Funding Freeze

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) issued a statement on the memorandum from the White House Office of Management and Budget directing a funding freeze for all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government starting at 5p.m. ET:

“What an absolute disaster. This illegal, unconstitutional order by President Trump will unleash devastating impacts on every community in America. Disaster relief, firefighting grants, health care, cancer research, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, homeless veteran housing: ALL frozen. Trump told victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles County on Friday that he is with us ‘100%.’ But this decision puts disaster relief we are relying on at risk. I’m working to determine how this decision will impact all my constituents, businesses and organizations around the Los Angeles area, and our ongoing recovery effort. 

“This order is typical of a Trump Administration’s approach to governing: creating a crisis for no reason and sowing chaos and confusion. While the President knowingly violates the constitutional separation of powers, most of my Republican House colleagues are in Doral, Florida, at his resort, ignoring this crisis while they discuss their strategy to cut taxes for the wealthy. They might want to tell him how funding freezes will hurt their districts and their constituents.”