Pause on Federal Funding

Last night, the White House issued a memo ordering all federal agency heads to pause all federal assistance programs as of 5 p.m. tonight and review them to ensure they are consistent with President Trump’s policies, including those that ban diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, anti-transgender policies, or other executive actions.  

By February 10, agencies are to report all “programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated” and in the meantime, “to the extent permissible under applicable law” stop all obligations or disbursements of federal funds, including new and existing awards and “other relevant agency actions that may be implicated by the executive orders.” 

This order does not apply to assistance provided directly to individuals (such as Pell grants) or to Medicare or Social Security benefits, nor does it appear to affect current formula grant programs (IDEA, Title I, etc.) because those funds have already been distributed. Other IDEA programs, including Part D (personnel preparation) are likely impacted, and we await clarity on that question from the Department of Education. 

For our members and peers, especially those whose lives are impacted by federal funds, we know this is a challenging and destabilizing moment that could have lasting impacts. We are closely watching as additional guidance is released, as well as lawsuits that have and will continue to be filed against the memo’s directives. As developments unfold, we will keep you informed. 

Sincerely, 

Julie Bost, President 

Chad Rummel, Executive Director