Written by Karen Dolan
When President Trump’s Office on Management and Budget ordered a broad freeze on federal funding for programs that American families depend on, it sparked panic and mayhem.
The impact on programs like Medicaid, Meals on Wheels, and cancer research sparked a quick and intense outcry. A federal judge had temporarily halted the freeze before the end of the day, and the administration grudgingly lifted it the next day.
Don’t be misled, though; this was an attempt to impose unconstitutional cuts on essential services that were funded by our taxes. Programs that assist Americans with housing, food, health care, education, and other necessities have been left in a state of uncertainty. And this is only the beginning of the administration’s attempts to exploit all means necessary to enrich themselves at the expense of ours.
In this instance, the administration informed agencies that their funding would be suspended until they could demonstrate that they were endorsing initiatives that aligned with the President’s directives and policies rather than Marxist social engineering policies pertaining to equity, transgenderism, and the green new deal, whatever that may be.
Social Security and Medicare were excluded in a footnote, along with direct help to individuals, in a clumsy two-page letter from the Office of Management and Budget. However, a large portion of that aid is provided through organizations or programs that reported problems following the release of the memo.
For instance, all 50 state Medicaid offices reported losing access to the federal Medicaid payment site right away. Additionally affected were portals for Head Start, housing programs, after-school activities, certain charter schools, and financing for Special Olympics.
More than $300 billion in financing for children’s welfare was reportedly at risk, according to First Focus on Children. Additionally, a Meals on Wheels representative told HuffPost reporter Arthur Delaney that seniors were in a panic since they had no idea where their next meals would come from.
The total number of federal programs at jeopardy was over 2,000. In addition to those for housing, food, healthcare, education, and shelter, experts were concerned that they would also have an influence on disaster relief, child care, suicide prevention services, domestic abuse shelters, small business support, and much more.
Cuts to these programs are highly unpopular with voters since they are lifelines for families. For example, 81 percent of Americans are against Medicaid cuts, and at least 70 percent are against cuts to Head Start, SNAP, child care, and housing assistance.
This was a blatant, illegal attempt to embezzle our taxes. Additionally, it was an attack on both our families and our democracy.According to the Constitution, only Congress, not the president, has the power to enact laws and appropriate monies.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: this administration is attempting to finance its intended large tax gift to its billionaire supporters using all legal and illegal means possible. Even after the agencies’ memo was withdrawn, Trump’s press secretary tweeted, “This is NOT a revocation of the federal funding freeze,” so this won’t be the last effort.
In the meantime, the administration continues to attempt to revoke funding that our legislature have already authorized for climate, infrastructure, and green employment, which is just more tax money robbery. Additionally, upcoming budget proposals would combine severe service cuts for the rest of us with tax breaks for billionaires and businesses.
The White House will continue to push the boundaries in an attempt to seize as much power as possible in order to defraud working people and enrich its billionaire supporters. Better is what our families deserve. And quickly.
The Criminalization of Race and Poverty Project at the Institute for Policy Studies is led by Karen Dolan. OtherWords.org disseminated this opinion piece.