Tell Your Member of Congress to Unfreeze Federal Funding NOW
What Happened:
- The White House directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to order all federal agencies to temporarily block activities associated with the obligation and disbursement of all grants, loans, and other financial assistance to ensure that they comply with the President’s executive order to prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion language, activities, and functions (among other executive orders).
- By February 10, agencies were directed to report on the programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated; however, the proposed pause in funding would be indefinite.
- This directive does not include Social Security or Medicare benefits, or payments to individuals (like Pell grants or direct student loans). Head Start and rental assistance also would be spared.
- UPDATE: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the freeze on federal funding until Monday, February 3rd at 5pm.
What This Means:
- Many federal programs that support vulnerable populations, including children, youth, and families who are homeless, may be prevented from drawing down funds that have already been approved by Congress. These programs depend on federal funding to provide services. Programs like the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, school nutrition, and child care would be impacted.
- Most education programs, including the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program are forward-funded (meaning that state and local educational agencies already have their FY2024 funding). To our knowledge, this means that there should be no disruption for EHCY grants in the short term.
Why It Matters:
- Lives hang in the balance – children, families, and youth cannot pause the need to eat, sleep, and be safe from harm.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
In light of the urgency of this situation, making a simple phone call is the most effective action you can take.
3 Simple Steps to Call Your Member of Congress:
- Call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
- A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the House or Senate office you request based on your state or zip code.
- Once connected with your member, use this script:
Hi my name is ______ and I am calling to urge my member of Congress to take immediate action to ensure that the lives of children, youth, and families are not endangered by the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze. Essential programs like rental assistance, child nutrition, and child care funding are lifelines for these children, youth, and families. Please pass along my message and let them know I would like a response.
Note: please give them your address so that they know that you are a constituent and will take you seriously.
For more information, please contact TJ Lucas, SHC’s Senior Federal Policy Manager at tj@schoolhouseconnection.org.