The recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a freeze on federal assistance has resulted in significant disruptions across various health programs, leading to widespread confusion among stakeholders. This pause, particularly affecting funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has halted critical purchases necessary for ongoing research projects. Essential supplies such as test tubes and liquid nitrogen are running low, jeopardizing clinical trials and potentially compromising research outcomes . The chaotic environment created by this freeze mirrors the challenges faced during government shutdowns, as scientists grapple with unprecedented operational difficulties.
One week in, the Trump administration is broadening its assault on the functions of government and shifting control of the federal purse strings further away from members of Congress.
President Donald Trump’s budget office Monday ordered a total freeze on “all federal financial assistance” that could be targeted under his previous executive orders pausing funding for a wide range of priorities — from domestic infrastructure and energy projects to diversity-related programs and foreign aid.
The memo specifies that the pause will not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits, nor does it include “assistance provided directly to individuals.”
The freeze on federal assistance is slated to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and could impact trillions of dollars. It marks the latest move by the Trump administration to exert control over federal funding, even that which has already been allocated by Congress.
“This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities,” Vaeth wrote.
The move is as broad as Democrats feared Trump’s orders to “impound” federal funds would be, former Biden budget official Bobby Kogan said.
“It seems to be far reaching and affect critical programs that Americans rely on, such as nutrition assistance for pregnant moms and newborns, money to keep our drinking water safe, and funding to ensure poor school districts can hire enough teachers,” said Kogan, who’s now with the left-leaning Center for American Progress.
Kogan said the administration is likely to face lawsuits as a result, arguing the OMB pause violates both the the 1974 law restricting presidential impoundment of funds appropriated by Congress as well as various individual appropriations and authorization statutes.
Furthermore, the abrupt termination of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has compounded these challenges. Programs like the Cultural and Academic Research Experience initiative have lost vital funding due to these policy changes . Researchers worry that these swift alterations will severely hinder efforts toward achieving health equity and improving future health outcomes. As many NIH webpages have been altered or removed entirely amid this upheaval, stakeholders find themselves navigating an increasingly opaque landscape in public health research.
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