Grijalva Wants Answers for Trump's Spending Freezes

Rep. Raul Grijalva

Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) joined over 150 fellow Democrats in demanding President Donald Trump explain where and why he instituted a massive spending freeze via an executive order.

"The Trump administration's decision to pause critical funding for projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act is a direct blow to the communities who depend on these investments for better roads, cleaner air, and good-paying jobs," said Rep. Grijalva in his press release.

Additionally, he bashed the freeze as "reckless" and would only delay "the progress that we've worked so hard to secure for the people of southern Arizona. It's also a stark reminder that Trump is willing to play partisan politics to interfere with essential programs and government functions at the expense of our constituents, as we can see with his recent announcement on freezing all federal funding."

Rep. Grijalva further claimed that Trump's freeze, already being challenged in court, violates the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which gives Congress the authority to consider and review executive branch withholdings of budget authority.

"This action will lead to missed paychecks and rent payments, directly affecting workers' livelihoods and the lives of our constituents," Grijalva concluded.

The Trump Administration's White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, quickly clarified that direct assistance, such as Social Security benefits, Medicare, food stamps, welfare benefits, and other assistance going directly to individuals would not be impacted under the pause, a question she "answered four times" in a recent press conference.

Similarly, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) posted to X (formerly Twitter) about the immunity of direct assistance from the freeze, saying, "The Left's meltdown over President Trump's funding freeze is nothing more than a scare tactic. OMB has been crystal clear: Social Security, VA benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and countless other program won't be affected. Americans have had enough of the Left's lies."

Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) responded to Rep. Biggs's post, adding, "Exactly. Their fake outrage has been exposed. Adults are back in charge, and the American people know it."

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.