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Tommy Carcetti

(43,784 posts)
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:12 AM Jan 28

Am I crazy, or should we be more worried about this freeze of federal funding today?

This seems like a huge and very bad deal to me.

Have we fully processed this? Or are we too distracted by all the other crazy stuff also going on at the moment?




I feel like a tsunami is about to hit and we’re all staring at the beach because the water’s all pulled back.
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Am I crazy, or should we be more worried about this freeze of federal funding today? (Original Post) Tommy Carcetti Jan 28 OP
it is extremely bad edhopper Jan 28 #1
And isn't that the point... yellow dahlia Jan 28 #45
Probably yes, but if you fret about every stupid, horrible thing he does you'll be miserable. dem4decades Jan 28 #2
We should be very worried! bif Jan 28 #3
Yes it looks pretty bad Meowmee Jan 28 #4
'all federal assistance' is a broad term bucolic_frolic Jan 28 #5
But what are the options for appealing this, or countering it? TheRickles Jan 28 #20
Excellent points yellow dahlia Jan 28 #43
If the freeze pertains to the current budget, it's effectively a gov't. shutdown. But here's the allegorical oracle Jan 28 #56
The media needs to announce we are in a dictatorship. tetedur Jan 28 #6
Surely you jest durablend Jan 28 #40
He's doing this to instigate unrest and then he can invoke the insurrection act nt Bookreadingliberal53 Jan 28 #7
General Strike, stay at home! Bluethroughu Jan 28 #31
You make a great point. I can see where even his followers would get pissed and some, not all, turn against him. OLDMDDEM Jan 28 #55
Among many other programs, this order may halt the TANF program to assist the working poor. Lonestarblue Jan 28 #8
Discretionary thinking is anathema to a MAGAT cachukis Jan 28 #9
It was the lead story on CBS Mornings this morning. highplainsdem Jan 28 #10
Also on Jim Acosta and Ana Cabrera yorkster Jan 28 #52
Yes it's a Constitutional crisis Arazi Jan 28 #11
Agreed. yellow dahlia Jan 28 #46
Close. OldBaldy1701E Jan 28 #12
Your comparison to a tsunami is spot on. Bumbles Jan 28 #13
Hug Clouds Passing Jan 28 #37
Thank you, Clouds Passing. Bumbles Jan 28 #39
I hear you. yellow dahlia Jan 28 #50
IMO there are going to be serious economic consequences that play out in many countries eventually NoMoreRepugs Jan 28 #14
+1 He will crater the economy. bronxiteforever Jan 28 #16
But "crypto" will somehow flourish. NoMoreRepugs Jan 28 #17
This reminds me of the COVID relief funds johnnyfins Jan 28 #15
The PPP funds became the a source of grift and corruption. yellow dahlia Jan 28 #51
I don't know who this person is but he nailed it AverageOldGuy Jan 28 #18
Actually replace or with and dsc Jan 28 #34
Those of us that hit the streets in the 60s multigraincracker Jan 28 #19
People will starve and small-town businesses will suffer Orrex Jan 28 #21
Also, veterans and military families receive a lot of SNAP aid Orrex Jan 28 #22
You are not wrong to be worried genxlib Jan 28 #23
Yup. This will start impacting some folks within a couple weeks Arazi Jan 28 #26
He will make his subjects dance for their dinner Johnny2X2X Jan 28 #24
This is illegal as hell Arazi Jan 28 #27
No worries. America is going to hell just as planned. aeromanKC Jan 28 #25
Democrats are so very worried . . . AverageOldGuy Jan 28 #28
Could not agree more. berksdem Jan 28 #35
But keep in mind tavernier Jan 28 #49
It's not that he's great at keeping promises, he ran on, but... Omnipresent Jan 28 #29
is this new ? i read that he had suspended all fedral grants for now.this is new.? AllaN01Bear Jan 28 #30
Yes this is new. The OMB memo is from last night Arazi Jan 28 #36
friend of mine who is news savvy, went on cnn , , found a unch of reports that dosent include ss , ssi ssdi. AllaN01Bear Jan 28 #62
If congress doesn't take back the purse strings then we are screwed MissB Jan 28 #32
Which Congress? durablend Jan 28 #44
It is very bad. MineralMan Jan 28 #33
YES, time to push for impeachment. milestogo Jan 28 #38
There is every reason to be extremely worried about this freeze. yellow dahlia Jan 28 #41
He is usurping the role of Congress Betty Boom Jan 28 #42
Yep....It's a DAMN big deal when a bridge falls on people Bengus81 Jan 28 #47
The crazy fucker is killing people... spanone Jan 28 #48
Very bad - not just these particular programs - but it's a test TBF Jan 28 #53
Here's text. It's not clear whether the freeze affects $ already in the pipeline or allegorical oracle Jan 28 #54
From What I'm Seeing RobinA Jan 28 #57
I think I'm numb. maxsolomon Jan 28 #58
This will work out fine I-teach-kids Jan 28 #59
no and yes bigtree Jan 28 #60
I could not be more worried yardwork Jan 28 #61

yellow dahlia

(1,803 posts)
45. And isn't that the point...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:26 PM
Jan 28

If they kill all the old people and disabled....and people reliant on Medicaid and Snap benefits - more $ for them to pillage.

Mr. Dahlia and I have been writing to our reps daily. So much to weigh in on.





bif

(24,806 posts)
3. We should be very worried!
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:17 AM
Jan 28

He's going to start doling it out only if he gets something in return. Fucking Hitler!

Meowmee

(7,684 posts)
4. Yes it looks pretty bad
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:20 AM
Jan 28

It’s not clear to me exactly what it means but I assumed some lawyers or people who know legislators, etc. are figuring this out?

bucolic_frolic

(49,131 posts)
5. 'all federal assistance' is a broad term
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:27 AM
Jan 28

Last edited Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:28 AM - Edit history (1)

Feds assist the states, and cities and counties. Assistance to people, governments, NGO's. Matching grants.

Undoing 100 years of Congressional action in a few weeks? This is a case study for insanity. No one voted for this other than Musk and Heritage.

It's all blatantly a violation of separation of powers. They are blending the state with religion and big business.

Governance by decree or EO's is not legislation. This is like edicts from a Royal throne.

What benefits will stop tomorrow? Who knows.

On edit: Is it a plan to bankrupt people fast and starve them?

TheRickles

(2,621 posts)
20. But what are the options for appealing this, or countering it?
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:59 AM
Jan 28

Seems like a separation of powers issue that Congress needs to take directly to the SCOTUS, and then (ulp).....

allegorical oracle

(4,282 posts)
56. If the freeze pertains to the current budget, it's effectively a gov't. shutdown. But here's the
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:58 PM
Jan 28

sentence of the wording that contains the actual motive:

"The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."

It's all about social programs vs. privatization.

tetedur

(1,217 posts)
6. The media needs to announce we are in a dictatorship.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:36 AM
Jan 28

There's no need to tip toe around the facts. This is where we are.

People who should get federal funds will have give Trusk something to get those funds.

durablend

(8,288 posts)
40. Surely you jest
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:15 PM
Jan 28

If anything the media will be yelling "WHY ARE DEMOCRATS STANDING IN THE WAY OF OUR RIGHTLY ELECTED PRESIDENT?!?"

Bluethroughu

(7,003 posts)
31. General Strike, stay at home!
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:56 AM
Jan 28

Pay no bills, buy nothing, no work.

Until we get programs reinstated and trump, vance, Republican party resign.

OLDMDDEM

(2,341 posts)
55. You make a great point. I can see where even his followers would get pissed and some, not all, turn against him.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:52 PM
Jan 28

Lonestarblue

(12,385 posts)
8. Among many other programs, this order may halt the TANF program to assist the working poor.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 08:56 AM
Jan 28

States get block grants for various programs, which are now frozen and probably include TANF, whose funds can be used for things other than food, such as helping to subsidize rent. How many poor people, especially in red states, will become homeless because of this stupid order?

This is exactly what Project 2025 promised in its section on giving extraordinary power to the Office of Management and Budget to control all spending according to the president’s wishes and ignoring Congressional laws allocating monies for specific programs.

cachukis

(2,923 posts)
9. Discretionary thinking is anathema to a MAGAT
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:01 AM
Jan 28

mentality. Consequences? Who thinks that far ahead?

Arazi

(7,593 posts)
11. Yes it's a Constitutional crisis
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:15 AM
Jan 28

I’m hoping someone is in court at 8 am to file an injunction.

Trump is seizing the power of Congress’s power of the purse. It’s a violation of the Impoundment Act and needs immediate attention.

Today.

Where are the Dems? Only a few spoke up last night. This is a 5 alarm fire

OldBaldy1701E

(7,400 posts)
12. Close.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:16 AM
Jan 28

Last edited Tue Jan 28, 2025, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)

I feel like a tsunami is about to hit and we’re all staring at the beach because the water’s all pulled back.


It is more like: I feel like a tsunami is about to hit and we’re all stuck in the sand up to our necks, with no way to move or dig ourselves out, staring at the beach because the water’s all pulled back.

Let's not forget that most of us have little to no options when that tsunami rolls in. Most of us cannot even consider trying to get out of the way. I am pretty sure the majority sees this coming.

It is just that some of us, it seems, prefer things this way. And, I am not just referring to the wealthy.

Bumbles

(314 posts)
13. Your comparison to a tsunami is spot on.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:33 AM
Jan 28

There is no one coming to save us. There is no high ground to run to. The only thing to do is hold on as best as you can and wait for the chaos to pass, hoping there will be something left that you recognize, that those you love and care about survive somehow.

I'm 82 and have never had such a strong feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. It is enervating and self-defeating. Perhaps someone will arrive to begin resistance and restoration - probably too soon for that - but where are you?! I've done my share of marches, demonstrations and picketing. I have said for the last few election cycles that the younger generations need to step up, bring new blood, new ideas and fresh perspective to our fight for our democracy, not to mention, younger bodies. I do still hold out hope that they will lead us out of this quagmire. I hope to live long enough to see our ship of state back on a more even keel.

yellow dahlia

(1,803 posts)
50. I hear you.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:43 PM
Jan 28

I am a little younger than you. Physically arduous demonstrations are out of the question.

I am trying to use what resources I have right now. I continue to spread the information and truth in whatever means I can. I think we need to get the information to those who have been conned by the cult. Once they realize the rug is going to get pulled out from under them, they might put pressure on their reps in Congress...and the administration take over.

I am looking to see which watchdog groups are in court right now, fighting for us. I will make a donation to those fighting for our Democracy.

It's frustrating times. I am a problem solver in search of solutions and ways to help.

DU is helpful right now as a source of information and a sense of community.

NoMoreRepugs

(11,056 posts)
14. IMO there are going to be serious economic consequences that play out in many countries eventually
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:40 AM
Jan 28

coming back to bite the USA in the ass REALLY HARD.

bronxiteforever

(10,113 posts)
16. +1 He will crater the economy.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:46 AM
Jan 28

Musk even said that suffering will be the lot of the American public when they institute their plans.

johnnyfins

(1,811 posts)
15. This reminds me of the COVID relief funds
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:42 AM
Jan 28

TSF actually said the amount of money(our taxes being given back to us) was " Very Generous". As if the $ was coming from his pocket. He thinks tax revenue is his.

The backlash to this and the reckoning that follows will be, as TSF likes to say: "Something on a level never seen before".

" Hungry people don't stay hungry for long"
- Rage Against the Machine

yellow dahlia

(1,803 posts)
51. The PPP funds became the a source of grift and corruption.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:46 PM
Jan 28

Money for their business pals.

There was supposed to be oversight - it was written into the legislation. BUT Mnuchin prevented the oversight. Go figure.

AverageOldGuy

(2,493 posts)
18. I don't know who this person is but he nailed it
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:49 AM
Jan 28

We’re gonna need either a real press corps or a real opposition party and we’re gonna need it fast. - Adam Parkhomenko

multigraincracker

(35,071 posts)
19. Those of us that hit the streets in the 60s
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 09:54 AM
Jan 28

remember shutting down a war.
Hit the streets with nonviolent marches.
Hell No We won’t Go
Change that to
Eat The Rich
Start With Musk

Just a thought.

Orrex

(64,852 posts)
21. People will starve and small-town businesses will suffer
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:08 AM
Jan 28

In my town several grocery stores rely heavily on SNAP-driven purchases, so this fuckheaded policy will hurt a wide range of people and businesses.

Orrex

(64,852 posts)
22. Also, veterans and military families receive a lot of SNAP aid
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:09 AM
Jan 28

This is yet another way for fuckface to screw them.

genxlib

(5,827 posts)
23. You are not wrong to be worried
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:12 AM
Jan 28

But the real concern is probably not as obvious.

I see a lot of people rightfully outraged about cutting of things like SNAP. While evil and impactful, there is a much worse level of concern here.

When someone says 'all grant funding', the average person has no idea what that means. Virtually everything the Feds pay for comes through grants. That includes big stuff like infrastructure and public education.

Cutting off the flow of federal funds suddenly will be like running into a brick wall. Those grants pay for people's jobs.

If they don't backtrack on this, we will be in recession before the end of the year and unemployment will rise.

I used to think it would take 18-24 months to tank the economy with stupid tariffs and immigration driven labor shortages. I realized that last night that my outlook was too rosy. They found a way to make it faster.

The only thing that might save us is that state and local conservatives are going to lose their shit. They won't admit it publicly but even they know that federal spending is what allows them to pretend to be low tax. They are going to freak out when they realize that they either have to raise taxes or put millions of people out of work.

Our only hope is that the backlash to this Mad King happens faster than he can destroy things

Arazi

(7,593 posts)
26. Yup. This will start impacting some folks within a couple weeks
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:36 AM
Jan 28

We may see patients out of nursing homes by the end of the month for example, as their funding is frozen.

DUers (and most of our Dem leaders - JB Pritzker aside) aren't hair-on-fire concerned enough about this action

Johnny2X2X

(22,507 posts)
24. He will make his subjects dance for their dinner
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:14 AM
Jan 28

That's what this is. He's going to demand something in return for every dime. Universities will probably be asked to do away with DEi to get their funds.

Arazi

(7,593 posts)
27. This is illegal as hell
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:37 AM
Jan 28

There should be a lawsuit today and an injunction by this afternoon if we’re lucky

aeromanKC

(3,569 posts)
25. No worries. America is going to hell just as planned.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:36 AM
Jan 28

Project 2025 is right on schedule.

America has turned into a third world fascist banana Republic.

AverageOldGuy

(2,493 posts)
28. Democrats are so very worried . . .
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:38 AM
Jan 28

Democrats are so worried we should expect a few to step up to the camera, wag their fingers, wring their hands, then go to lunch with their Republican colleagues.

Am I a bitter lifelong Democrat who is tired of our “leaders” who reach across the aisle and who take a pillow to a gunfight?

Omnipresent

(6,751 posts)
29. It's not that he's great at keeping promises, he ran on, but...
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:41 AM
Jan 28

Was this actually something trump promised to his base?

Arazi

(7,593 posts)
36. Yes this is new. The OMB memo is from last night
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 11:29 AM
Jan 28

It’s a direct challenge to Congressional authority.

It’s a legit constitutional crisis now

AllaN01Bear

(24,156 posts)
62. friend of mine who is news savvy, went on cnn , , found a unch of reports that dosent include ss , ssi ssdi.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 05:20 PM
Jan 28

if they did , ohm myyyyy.

MissB

(16,244 posts)
32. If congress doesn't take back the purse strings then we are screwed
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 10:58 AM
Jan 28

Like, the constitution is screwed.

Not to mention the utter havoc currently playing out.

NSF grants? Absolutely halted yesterday. I don’t even think students that applied for NSF scholarships get thru this. (My own kid had a 3 year stipend from NSF for his PhD program, and I think now is the time the panels decide who gets one.)

durablend

(8,288 posts)
44. Which Congress?
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:24 PM
Jan 28

The Republicans high fiving one another right about now? Or "our side" who are cutting out their cardboard sporks gearing up for a fight?

MineralMan

(148,652 posts)
33. It is very bad.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 11:07 AM
Jan 28

It still needs digesting, and that's what's going on this morning, by everyone. By this afternoon, we should have a clear picture about the potential damage it will do in many areas.

Keep an eye on the news today.

yellow dahlia

(1,803 posts)
41. There is every reason to be extremely worried about this freeze.
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:18 PM
Jan 28

Everyone is till trying to figure out exactly what is and isn't affected.

Medicaid to hospitals.
Money for homeless veterans.
School lunch programs.

USAID! And USAID employees have been furloughed or something like that.

There are so many things this could be affecting, and it has real consequences for many organizations.

Many questions. Is HUD effected?

The reporters and pundits on MSNBC are trying to figure this out this morning.

Plus - here is what is to me the key point. This is money that was already designated by Congress. It has to be used for what it was appropriated for. So the order is in violation of the law.

And the firing of the 17 IG's is also in violation of the law.

Our Congressional leaders need to take action.



Betty Boom

(325 posts)
42. He is usurping the role of Congress
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:19 PM
Jan 28

Yes, you should be very worried. Beyond just how horrible it is in a practical sense in terms of these funds, not flowing to programs, the larger picture here is that he has you surfing the role of Congress as an equal branch of government. Congress has appropriated this money for these programs. The executive branch is then supposed to administer those funds and run the programs. So yes, it’s a very, very big deal that he is creating a constitutional crisis here. It’s a dictator move

Bengus81

(8,281 posts)
47. Yep....It's a DAMN big deal when a bridge falls on people
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:31 PM
Jan 28

Spray tan HITLER can't stand that Biden got the Infrastructure act passed and that's working. So...just like the ACA that's wildly popular he needs to try and destroy it.

That POS has severe mental issues.

TBF

(35,052 posts)
53. Very bad - not just these particular programs - but it's a test
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:49 PM
Jan 28

if he gets away with it, he goes deeper. He and Leon are there to pillage, never forget that. They will stir up as much hate and division as they can along the way, but that is their purpose.

allegorical oracle

(4,282 posts)
54. Here's text. It's not clear whether the freeze affects $ already in the pipeline or
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 12:51 PM
Jan 28

pertains to a future budget.

FREEZE: With the exceptions of Social Security and Medicare benefits, the federal government has paused issuing grants, loans, and all other forms of financial assistance.

That means funding for schools. That means funding for disaster relief. That means grants to state and local governments. That means homebuying assistance.

"This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President's priorities," wrote the acting director of the OMB in a memo announcing the freeze, which will go into effect at 5 p.m. tonight.

In Fiscal Year 2024, of the nearly $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent, more than $3 trillion was Federal financial assistance, such as grants and loans," reads the memo. "Career and political appointees in the Executive Branch have a duty to align Federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through Presidential priorities. Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending 'wokeness' and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."

https://reason.com/2025/01/28/no-more-government-assistance/

RobinA

(10,272 posts)
57. From What I'm Seeing
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 01:11 PM
Jan 28

over last week and so far this week, Trump will shortly get the federal government tied in so many knots it can't function. THAT will be a very bad day indeed. It also may be the bottom that needs to be hit so the adults can come out of hiding and start running the country again.

I-teach-kids

(9 posts)
59. This will work out fine
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 02:45 PM
Jan 28

Oh stop it. Everything is fine. The children I teach won’t have to worry about eating breakfast or lunch anymore. More time for studies.

And, since many of them will be deported, along with their families, this will work out fine.

My disabled sister doesn’t need any help paying for the crappy little apartment. Nor help with her ongoing medical bills. And, certainly, I can run by the food bank to get her meals, since I doubt she can afford her own anymore.

bigtree

(91,592 posts)
60. no and yes
Tue Jan 28, 2025, 03:03 PM
Jan 28

...not crazy.

This is an open power grab away from Congress. They either fight this and win, or they cede their reason for being to a unitary Executive.

They're already compromised by a unitary Supreme Court majority which increasingly regards their own compromised judgments as the ultimate deciders and crafters of law and democracy, as they invent protections against accountability for lawlessness for one man in the Executive, and opportunistically block and change laws passed by Democratic Congresses and signed by Democratic presidents.

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