01/28/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2025 15:58
WASHINGTON, DC-Congressman André Carson (IN-07) made the following statement on the Trump administration's orders freezing federal agencies grant and loan payments beginning at 5:00pm today:
"Trump is illegally holding Americans' hard-earned tax dollars hostage to push his own extreme agenda.
"These executive orders have frozen taxpayer dollars that Congress already approved. This is your money. The role of Congress is to take action benefitting the will of the people. These contradictory orders are creating widespread confusion and disruption. Medicaid disbursements were frozen today in a number of states, and the orders could impact healthcare providers, health and safety inspectors, firefighters, and schools.
"First Trump fired the inspector generals charged with fighting corruption. Now he's trying to rip up the Constitution to seize money that belongs to you. This money is not Trump's to take away as he pleases - it belongs to the taxpayers. Congress directed the executive branch to disburse these funds, and the president cannot ignore Congress. These actions are proof of what Democrats have been warning for months: Trump is doing whatever it takes to get what he wants. Congress already authorized and appropriated these funds to help the American people, and it is unlawful and unconstitutional to revoke them.
"Trump has now weaponized government services to punish communities he doesn't like, and to stoke fear and chaos. This chaos won't prevent us from fighting back. Every American should be concerned at how this will impact basic services they rely on, and what it means to have a president who has no respect for the Constitution or the rule of law."
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