The acting head of the Office of Management and Budget, under the direction of the US president, issued a memo on Monday evening announcing a freeze on federal loans and grants. This freeze is slated to begin at 5 pm ET on Tuesday, targeting various sectors such as universities, non-profit organizations, food assistance programs, hospitals, community health centers, and organizations aiding disabled veterans. Notably, this order excludes social security and Medicare. The decision has sparked widespread controversy and raised constitutional concerns.
Senator Bernie Sanders has been vocal in his criticism of the order, describing it as both unconstitutional and a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism in America.
“It is a dangerous move towards authoritarianism and it is blatantly unconstitutional,” – Bernie Sanders
The senator emphasized that the order raises more questions than it answers, particularly regarding the future of federal grants for community health centers that serve millions of Americans. Sanders argued that the president does not have the right to unilaterally decide which laws to follow or ignore, as the power of the purse lies with Congress.
“Our founding fathers explicitly gave Congress the power of the purse. Under our system of checks and balances, no president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore.” – Bernie Sanders
New York's attorney general, Letitia James, is reportedly preparing to take legal action against the order. Likewise, Connecticut's attorney general, William Tong, mentioned that attorneys general across the country are gearing up to challenge the directive. Senator Chuck Schumer echoed concerns about the impact on multiple sectors, reiterating that universities, non-profits, and health-related services will likely face significant disruptions.
“If President Trump wants to change our nation’s laws he has the right to ask Congress to change them. He does not have the right to violate the United States constitution. He is not a king.” – Bernie Sanders
In response to the looming challenges posed by this order, Senator Sanders called for unity among Americans of all political affiliations to oppose what he views as an authoritarian move.
“The American people – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – must come together to defeat this move towards authoritarianism.” – Bernie Sanders