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California Attorney General Bonta Says Pause on Federal Dollars Could Impact Fire Disaster Relief

Published on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 1:10 pm
 

According to a statement by California Attorney General Rob Bonta a pending pause in $3 trillion in federal assistance funding could impact disaster relief programs that could assist Pasadena and Altadena in its relief from the recent wildfires.

Bonta and two dozen attorney generals filed a restraining order to block the freeze of $3 trillion in federal assistance funding.

In the statement the attorney generals said, the pause would do “immediate harm to their states. … Impacted programs include disaster relief funding necessary for funding necessary for Los Angeles’ recovery from recent wildfires.”

The wildfires destroyed more than 10,000 structures in Altadena and Pasadena and scorched more than 14,000 acres.

“The Trump Administration is recklessly disregarding the health, wellbeing, and public safety of the people it is supposed to serve,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This directive is unprecedented in scope and would be devastating if implemented. Already, it has created chaos and confusion among our residents. I will not stand by while the President attempts to disrupt vital programs that feed our kids, provide medical care to our families, and support housing and education in our communities. Instead of learning from the defeats of his first Administration, President Trump is once again plowing ahead with a damaging – and most importantly, unlawful – agenda. I’m proud to co-lead a coalition of attorneys general in taking him to court.”

According to the statement, many states could face immediate cash shortfalls, making it difficult to administer basic programs like funding for healthcare and food for children and to address their most pressing emergency needs. This could result in devastating consequences for California in particular, given the uncertainty around continued disbursement of FEMA funding that is essential for recovery from the Los Angeles wildfires, which have caused an estimated $150 billion in economic losses.

Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) said the move will create uncertainty and chaos among those wh

The move comes as part of the administration’s efforts to align federal resources with the President’s policy goals, which include bolstering American energy, promoting economic growth, and countering what Trump has characterized as “woke” and “radical” government programs.

According to a copy of that executive order received by the City of Pasadena on Monday, the pause goes into effect at 5 p.m. today. The memorandum was issued by Matthew J. Vaeth, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

City officials are still attempting to ascertain how the pause could impact City funding, but the impact was already being felt.

According to officials at the Head Start of Childhood Education, many of the programs will shut down on Wednesday. The Associated Press reported that nonprofit groups were struggling to access portals and grants funding previously received.

The pause could impact programs aimed at resolving food insecurity like Meals on Wheels, which is used by countless seniors in the area.

According to CNN, government programs under review include emergency grain storage assistance for farmers, the Head Start program for preschool education, cancer center support grants.

Exceptions to the pause may be granted on a case-by-case basis for specific program needs.

Several nonprofits have already filed a lawsuit in the matter.

The City receives money from HUD for housing via grants through programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Home Enhancement Loan Program (HELP).

The president can pause the funding, but he cannot cancel Congressional funding.

The temporary pause does not impact mandatory programs such as Social Security or Medicare, nor does it affect legally mandated deadlines for certain assistance programs.

“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,” according to the memorandum. “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.”

Agencies will be forced to pause the issuance of new awards, disbursement of funds under open awards, and other related activities that could conflict with the President’s directives. Federal agencies are also instructed to identify programs that may be implicated by executive orders issued by President Trump, such as those related to foreign aid, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender ideology, and the Green New Deal.

“In Fiscal Year 2024, the federal government spent nearly $10 trillion, with over $3 trillion allocated to financial assistance programs,” according to the memo. “This review ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently to fulfill the priorities of the American people, focusing on strengthening the nation and eliminating wasteful spending.”

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed all federal agencies to submit detailed information about affected programs no later than February 10. Agencies are tasked with reviewing pending financial assistance announcements and modifying or withdrawing those that conflict with the administration’s agenda.

This is a breaking story, Pasadena Now will have more information as it becomes available.

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