By Michael Casey, Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) – A second federal judge extended a block prohibiting the Trump administration on Thursday to freeze grants and loans potentially totaling billions of dollars.
The judge of the American district court John McConnell in the Rhode Island granted the preliminary injunction in the trial brought by nearly two dozen democratic states after a Trump administration plan for a break of federal spending aroused a wave of confusion and anxiety in the United States.
In his decision, McConnell said that the executive power was trying to put himself above the congress and, in doing so, “undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government”.
“The executive has not shown any constitutional or statutory authority which would allow them to impose this type of categorical frost,” wrote McConnel. “The court does not limit the discretionary power or the microgestion of the executive of the administration of the federal funds. On the contrary, in accordance with the Constitution, the Statutes and Casélaws, the Court considers that the discretion of the executive to impose its own political preferences on the appropriate funds can only be exercised if it is authorized by the statutes of the credits approved by the Congress. »»
States say that a litany of programs are still waiting for federal funds or clarity to find out if the money will be delivered. McConnell also said that that of the state had demonstrated standing in this case.
“States have introduced dozens of undisputed declarations illustrating the effects of blind and unpredictable freezing of federal funds, which involve almost all aspects of government operations of states and inhibit their ability to administer vital services to their residents,” he wrote. “These declarations reflect at least a particular, concrete and imminent damage which stems from the break of federal financing – a significant and indefinite loss of obligatory federal financing.”
Among the financing affected, there are billions of dollars which would finance solar energy on the roof in low-income neighborhoods, subsidize the purchase and installation by low-income households with water heater and electrical subsidies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants.
The White House previously said that the judgment of temporary funding would guarantee that payments were in accordance with President Donald Trump’s agenda, which includes the increase in the production of fossil fuels, the abolition of protections for transgender people and the end of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
The republican administration has since canceled a memo describing the freezing of funding. However, many state government, universities and non -profit organizations have argued that federal agencies continue to block funding for a range of programs.
US district judge Loren Alikhan in Washington has also extended a prescription blocking the financing freezing. Alikhan granted a preliminary injunction requested by groups representing thousands of non -profit organizations and small businesses.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
