Illinois politicians say federal funding freeze has already caused harm
The Brief
A White House memo rescinding previous guidance has not fully ended the uncertainty over a federal funding freeze.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said the freeze disrupted key programs, including Medicaid and food assistance.
A federal judge has kept a temporary halt on the funding freeze as legal challenges continue.
CHICAGO - Illinois lawmakers are voicing strong concerns after the Trump administration's federal funding freeze created widespread confusion and disruptions to critical services.
While the White House appeared to walk back its decision, conflicting messages from officials have left uncertainty about the future of the freeze and its impact on essential programs.
What we know
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a brief memo stating that Monday's guidance on the funding freeze had been rescinded. However, shortly after, the White House press secretary clarified on X that the administration was not reversing the freeze, only rescinding the OMB memo.
This led a federal judge to extend a temporary halt on the funding freeze while courts determine its legality.
Despite the administration's claims that essential programs would be unaffected, many providers reported immediate consequences.
Mark Ishaug, president of the nonprofit Thresholds, which offers housing, unemployment, substance abuse, and mental health services, said the freeze had already cost his organization $1 million.
Ishaug says the system is now back online, but Illinois Senator Dick Durbin added the damage is already done.
What they're saying
Durbin criticized the administration's handling of the freeze, calling it a chaotic and harmful misstep.
"The administration tried to reverse itself maybe and didn't get the job done," Durbin said. "They had conflicting reports on two different agencies."
Durbin also emphasized the real-world consequences of the freeze, particularly in medical research and social services.
"I understand he's a new president, they're new on the job … but to do this at the expense of medical research … you gotta say to yourself you're hurting a lot of innocent people while you're getting your act together," Durbin said.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) echoed these concerns, arguing that key safety net programs were directly affected, which impacted low-income residents.
"Besides Medicaid, we had Head Start being affected, we had Meals on Wheels and we had food stamps," Krishnamoorthi said. "Every program you could think of was affected recklessly."
The other side
The Trump administration has defended the funding pause, arguing it was intended to prevent spending on initiatives they oppose, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and abortion-related services.
The administration has framed the freeze as an effort to cut back on what they call "woke gender ideology" and other policies they believe are unnecessary.
What's next
With a federal judge keeping the temporary block in place, the legal battle over the funding freeze is expected to continue.
Democrats have pointed to the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which requires the executive branch to spend funds allocated by Congress with few exceptions.
The coming weeks will determine whether the Trump administration's efforts to reshape federal spending will hold up in court—or face further pushback from lawmakers and service providers.
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