The “pausing” of federal grants and loans effective at 5 p.m. today by the Trump Administration is damaging on numerous fronts and injures the nation’s most vulnerable people. The roughly 24-hour notice gives the charitable sector no time to react – and that’s probably a portion of the administration’s calculus.
It is debatable whether the executive branch can create and enforce such an executive order because much of what is to be “paused” is written into federal law and would take an act of Congress to rescind. The challenge is that the political appointees in the executive branch will carry out the mandate unless a temporary restraining order is issued by a federal court judge. (Cue the ACLU.)
This is a continuation of Executive Orders that are being used to erode the separation of powers of this democracy.
Depending on the length of time, the “pausing” will cost nonprofit direct service providers their jobs. There will be an increase in the federal unemployment rate, given that the charitable sector employs between 9% and 11% of American workers. It will cost the government to cover those benefits.
Children will go hungry. Services for the infirm will be halted. This is the type of mean spiritedness that is unbecoming of a government. Remember, this administration has been demanding an increase in the federal debt limit. This is no doubt a bargaining chip in that debate for the tax-cut plan and was telegraphed in the infamous Project 2025 report.
It is time for leaders of organizations such as the YMCA, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Salvation Army and others to remind their federal representatives that the midterm elections are less than two years away and that campaigning will start in less than 15 months. These organizations are in every community in this nation. While leaders of 501(c)(3) organizations can’t openly campaign against an individual, the campaign begins with benefits that are being withheld or eradicated.
People who are hungry or need other forms of help have long memories. The memo, which you can see here, needs to be immediately blocked or rescinded.
Commentary: It Is Time To Stand Up
(Photo From Deposit Photos)
The “pausing” of federal grants and loans effective at 5 p.m. today by the Trump Administration is damaging on numerous fronts and injures the nation’s most vulnerable people. The roughly 24-hour notice gives the charitable sector no time to react – and that’s probably a portion of the administration’s calculus.
It is debatable whether the executive branch can create and enforce such an executive order because much of what is to be “paused” is written into federal law and would take an act of Congress to rescind. The challenge is that the political appointees in the executive branch will carry out the mandate unless a temporary restraining order is issued by a federal court judge. (Cue the ACLU.)
This is a continuation of Executive Orders that are being used to erode the separation of powers of this democracy.
Depending on the length of time, the “pausing” will cost nonprofit direct service providers their jobs. There will be an increase in the federal unemployment rate, given that the charitable sector employs between 9% and 11% of American workers. It will cost the government to cover those benefits.
Children will go hungry. Services for the infirm will be halted. This is the type of mean spiritedness that is unbecoming of a government. Remember, this administration has been demanding an increase in the federal debt limit. This is no doubt a bargaining chip in that debate for the tax-cut plan and was telegraphed in the infamous Project 2025 report.
It is time for leaders of organizations such as the YMCA, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Salvation Army and others to remind their federal representatives that the midterm elections are less than two years away and that campaigning will start in less than 15 months. These organizations are in every community in this nation. While leaders of 501(c)(3) organizations can’t openly campaign against an individual, the campaign begins with benefits that are being withheld or eradicated.
People who are hungry or need other forms of help have long memories. The memo, which you can see here, needs to be immediately blocked or rescinded.
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