SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Bay Space Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) slammed President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze as unlawful.
“What the president has done is pretty clearly illegal,” mentioned Lofgren, chatting with KRON4’s Justine Waldman. “Congress has appropriated these funds, he’s required under law to see that the laws are faithfully executed. There have been numerous cases since the Nixon presidency indicating what he’s doing is illegal.”
“We now have a right-wing Supreme Court. Do they plan to overturn half a century of case law? Who knows with those guys?” Lofgren added. “We are going to fight this as best as we can. Lawsuits have already been filed.”
San Francisco launches immigrant sources hub
“President Trump can review all he wants, and if he has recommendations, he can come to the Congress to make changes — propose changes to the law. But what he’s doing here is wrong and illegal.”
“The lower courts are bound to follow existing law and the law is that this is illegal. Now maybe the right-wing Supreme Court wants to change the law, but until they do, I’m hopeful that the lower court will follow what has been a half century of precedent.”
Bay Space Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-San Jose) additionally slammed President Trump’s federal funding freeze as illegal.
“If you don’t think the Trump administration’s illegal impoundment of all federal funding will harm every corner of our community, consider the thousands of parents who cannot go to work if they depend on child care funded by Head Start, and the millions of residents imperiled by potential delays in the rebuilding of the Anderson Dam.”
“Sensible budget-cutting requires discernment, not disregard for human suffering from halting essential public safety, health care, or disaster relief. I will fight to push the President to abide by the 1974 Budget and Impoundment Control Act and our Constitution.”
Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) additionally condemned the assault as a “butchered attempt by the president to suddenly shutter federal assistance plans.”
“The President’s executive order is an attack on the young couple about to go into labor, the student who thought they could afford college after receiving a grant, the first responder risking her life to protect their community, and countless people across the country,” Bonta mentioned. “I’m happy this action has been pause for the time being. I am committed to supporting my constituents and the local organizations facing rent and payroll costs as this administration operates by trial and error.”
Trump’s abrupt federal help freeze has drawn widespread backlash and reportedly led to State Medicaid packages throughout the nation reporting they’ve misplaced entry to federal fee portals.
At a White Home press briefing Tuesday, President Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the freeze as a “temporary pause” whereas the Workplace of Administration and Price range opinions “the federal funding that has been going out the door.”
