Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Murray: “In a brazen and illegal move, the Trump administration is working to freeze huge chunks of federal funding passed into law—by Republicans and Democrats alike. Now, not even 24 hours later, they are issuing new guidance trying to clean up the massive mess they have made, saying: ‘Wait, we don’t actually know what we are doing….’ but still leaving needless uncertainty about what actually is happening—and they are still—let me make that clear: still—withholding approved funding all across government.”
***VIDEO HERE***
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Democrats’ weekly press conference and discussed the Trump administration’s unprecedented and illegal directives to withhold vast chunks of federal funding that were signed into law by Republicans and Democrats alike. She also touched on the recent update the Trump administration sent on its orders, as well as Senate Democrats’ resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons for violent insurrectionists.
Earlier today, Senator Murray joined colleagues in raising the alarm on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo issued by the Trump administration last night directing agencies to withhold federal funding and creating mass chaos and confusion in the process.
Last night, Senator Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent a letter to Acting OMB Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump’s unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda issued by OMB on Monday directing agencies to withhold vast swaths of approved federal funding.
A fact sheet on the issue of the impoundment is available HERE.
Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
“Every one of us in this building owes a huge debt to our Capitol Police. Considering all they sacrifice to keep us safe, we should be able to say—with one voice—that if you violently assault a Capitol Police officer, you should not get a pardon. You should not get off scot free. I will have more to say later on the floor—but from Trump pardoning violent insurrectionists to issuing blatantly unconstitutional executive orders to lawlessly blocking bipartisan funding, we have a lot more ground to cover. And today I want to talk about the OMB guidance the Trump administration issued in the dead of night.
“In a brazen and illegal move, the Trump administration is working to freeze huge chunks of federal funding passed into law—by Republicans and Democrats alike.
“Now, not even 24 hours later, they are issuing new guidance trying to clean up the massive mess they have made, saying: ‘Wait, we don’t actually know what we are doing….’ But still leaving needless uncertainty about what actually is happening—and they are still—let me make that clear: still—withholding approved funding all across government.
“Meanwhile, this chaos is already hurting people, causing confusion, and causing devastating delays. I mean where do we start here? There are a lot of urgent questions but precious few answers—and the answers keep changing.
“What about grants for public safety? Grants for firefighters and for police departments, or that prevent violence against women—those aren’t direct to individuals—are they still halted?
“Or health care? What about community health centers that millions rely on—including in rural areas?
“Or money fighting the opioid crisis—grants that go to states, communities, and non-profits? Are they stopping funding for addiction treatment and prevention?
“Or clinical studies. Scientists at the University of Washington and Washington State University are deeply alarmed—this is not theoretical; research projects will collapse and staff will be furloughed or laid off.
“Tribes in my state are deeply alarmed that they will see severe cuts across health care, education, law enforcement, housing—practically every aspect of daily life on Indian land.
“And of course, what about disaster relief that could be derailed? In Eastern Washington, in my home state, $44 million to help Spokane County rebuild after wildfires—money that was announced weeks ago—is that still on pause? Last week Trump visited communities in North Carolina and California still reeling from disaster; now he is throwing the aid those communities need into chaos.
“Schools that need Title I payments are worried they may not get the funds that Congress has allocated and voted on.
“Suddenly, we don’t know: How will Meals on Wheels feed seniors who depend on them? Or what this means for homeless veterans we are working to get housed?
“Entire budgets and payrolls across the country are carefully hinging on these resources—we’re talking about small towns, cities, rural America, school districts, universities, and much more.
“And look—saying, ‘just kidding’ not even 24 hours later—is not a solution.
“You can’t pretend you had no idea it would cause chaos despite all the warnings. That is not believable, and even if it was true, it’s not a good reason for the damage caused.
“Even despite what we’ve heard from the administration in the last hour or so, they are still illegally withholding funding owed to all of our states—that basic truth has not changed.
“So I am urging my fellow Republicans to open your eyes to just how bad this is and will be for your states and your communities and speak out. I know reports say the White House is trying to silence members who have done that—but stand up. We are talking about your constituents.
“And specifically, I am urging my Republican colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee to vote against Russ Vought’s nomination. Republicans should not advance this nomination out of committee until the Trump administration follows the law.
“And I am warning the Trump Administration—the law is the law. You need to reverse course, follow the requirements of the law, ensure the nation’s spending laws are implemented as Congress intended, and avoid this pointless, damaging chaos.”