Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 30, 2025
In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin shared the stories of Illinois constituents who would be dramatically impacted by the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor last night, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) shared stories of constituent calls his office received over the last two days in reaction to the Trump Administration’s decision to issue an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement” of trillions of dollars of Federal financial assistance, which caused mass confusion about the funding and operations of hundreds of government-funded programs ranging from Medicaid, to Head Start, to Violence Against Women Act grants. Shortly before the federal funding freeze was set to begin, U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. Alikhan, who was confirmed under Durbin’s tenure as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, temporarily blocked the move by the Trump Administration. The Trump Administration rescinded the memo yesterday but claimed that the federal funding freeze would still take place.
“On Monday night, President Trump threw America into chaos when he abruptly announced a freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans that so many communities, states, and Americans depend on. The reaction across the nation has been uniform. We had our phone ringing off the hook, computers busy and buzzing, everybody wants to know what does this mean, what has happened,” Durbin said. “Even members of the press were confused, members of Congress were confused, members of the American public were confused. Even members of the President’s own Administration were confused about the intent and scope of the freeze.”
In his remarks, Durbin spoke about the impact of the announcement on Illinoisans, who rely on federal funding to support critical programs and medical research. One woman told Durbin’s office that a halt on federal funding would prevent her brother, who has Down Syndrome, from receiving the care he needs. Another constituent shared that her work on biomedical research would be jeopardized if the Trump Administration’s funding freeze moves forward.
“Toni is a woman from Woodstock, Illinois. She shared with my office that her brother has Down Syndrome, and the care he receives is funded by a federal grant. His health and safety would be at risk if this freeze is allowed to be implemented,” Durbin said.
“Or take Dr. Kay, a professor and scientist at the University of Chicago. Her work depends on funding from the National Institutes of Health and other federal grants. She shared the freeze would ‘interrupt crucial biomedical research, stopping progress, sometimes destroying years’ worth of research that cannot be undone.’ And it would hurt the retention of our nation’s future scientists,” Durbin said.
“Or [take] Sarah, a supporter of community-based organizations that serve youth experiencing homelessness in the city of Chicago. If this freeze, in fact, takes place, the organization will not be able to access the federal funding it needs to provide services for youth, help them escape violence, or help to reunify their families,” Durbin continued.
The OMB memo caused immediate panic across the country as red and blue states’ Medicaid portals shut down and Head Start programs worried that they would not be open the following day to provide critical child care. The Trump Administration failed, when asked repeatedly, to provide clear guidance about what programs would be safe from being defunded.
“Americans across the country faced disruptions in accessing critical funds and services in popular programs like Head Start, Medicaid, and so many more. These are just a few of the many messages my office and others have received from Americans confused, outraged, and impacted by this freeze,” Durbin said.
After Judge Alikhan’s ruling on Monday temporarily blocked the freeze from starting, the Trump Administration claimed to rescind the memo while purporting that the funding freeze would still move forward.
“In response to the backlash from the American public, the organized efforts of many Democratic lawmakers, and the court ruling, President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget today rescinded the memo outlining the funding freeze. But that isn’t the end of the story. The President’s Press Secretary now claims that while the memo ordering the freeze has been rescinded, the freeze itself still stands… How does this make sense, you’re asking? The honest answer is, it doesn’t,” Durbin continued.
“In true Trump fashion, his Administration has made clear that it doesn’t intend to abide by the will of the American people, the letter of the law, or the Constitution. It will do whatever it takes to push through this policy, even if it means hurting Americans across the country,” Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks by reiterating that he will push back against any unconstitutional or harmful policies enacted by the Trump Administration.
“We’re going to continue to fight this unconstitutional, devastating, and grossly unpopular freeze in federal spending. I want every American to know that your voice and participation in our democracy means more now than ever,” Durbin said.
“The President is betting that you won’t notice when he abuses power or breaks the law, that amidst the chaos that surrounds him you will be too confused, jaded, or just too tired to fight back. But I urge Americans to continue monitoring the actions of this new Administration, particularly when they touch you and your family personally,” Durbin said.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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