Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Tuesday blasted President Trump over a Monday memo calling for a federal loan and grant pause.
“Bottom line: This unconstitutional memo must be rescinded. The American people — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — must come together to defeat this move towards authoritarianism,” Sanders said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
Late Monday, federal agencies were directed by the Trump administration to halt the disbursement of grants and loans amid a government review to ensure spending falls in line with the president’s agenda.
Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily halt “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.”
Social Security or Medicare benefits are not to be affected, the memo indicates, as well as assistance given directly to individuals. According to the memo, the halt is effective by 5 p.m. on Tuesday night.
A senior Trump administration official told The Hill that if an agency finds its funding does not come into conflict with the president’s agenda it will receive its disbursement.
“Let’s be clear. The Trump Administration’s action last night to suspend all federal grants and loans will have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of millions of children, seniors on fixed incomes, and the most vulnerable people in our country. It is a dangerous move towards authoritarianism and it is blatantly unconstitutional,” Sanders said.
During a Tuesday briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the pause on federal grants and loans
“It is a temporary pause, and the Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the federal funding that has been going out the door,” Leavitt said.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
