RI, Mass. Sue Trump Administration Over Freeze in Federal Funding

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget issued a memo describing a temporary pause in federal grant, loan and other financial assistance programs

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at a press conference in Boston on June 8, 2023.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at a press conference in Boston on June 8, 2023.
Credit: Jodi Hilton / Special to The Public’s Radio
Share
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at a press conference in Boston on June 8, 2023.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at a press conference in Boston on June 8, 2023.
Credit: Jodi Hilton / Special to The Public’s Radio
RI, Mass. Sue Trump Administration Over Freeze in Federal Funding
Copy

Attorneys General Peter Neronha of Rhode Island and Andrea Campbell of Massachusetts have joined a coalition of other AGs in suing the Trump Administration over its sudden freeze in federal spending via grants, loans and other avenues.

“What a ham-handed way to run the government,” Neronha said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

In total, attorneys general from 22 states and Washington, D.C. joined the lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island on Tuesday. They described the executive branch’s freezing of federal funds as “unconstitutional,” “unlawful” and “reckless.”

“The president’s directive to pause federal aid, simply put, violates the separation of powers,” Campbell said. Massachusetts, she said, received more than $20 billion in federal funding last year.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Making surfboards as an environmental statement, a Laotian family’s journey documented in Woonsocket, and a mid-winter party at the Jamestown Art Center. Here’s what’s happening in Rhode Island this coming week
This week on Possibly we’re talking to Ramón Mendez Galain, a physicist who helped the small South American country transition its electric grid to renewable energy almost overnight
The prestigious competition lauded 8 local chefs and restaurants, finalists to be named in March
Brown University students return to classes, lean on one another after the Dec. 13 shooting
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he would veto the proposal if it passes, but the city council could override him with a supermajority of 10 out of 15 councilors
Quinn said in a written statement that he did not intend to seek a fourth term, but would finish out the remainder of the year