Neal Statement on Trump Administration Rescinding OMB Memo & Federal Judge Granting Restraining Order

Springfield, MA, January 29, 2025

Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after President Trump announced his administration would be rescinding the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo and Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. granted a restraining order against the pause in federal funding.

“Over the course of the last nine days, we have witnessed an agenda from the Trump Administration that is chaotic and, as it turns out, pointless. While I anticipated this would be just another ‘reconsidered withdrawal’ from the WHO or the U.S. planning to take back the Panama Canal, that does not minimize the fact that actions have consequences. There is no need to unnecessarily frighten the American people with empty rhetoric, which is what this turned out to be. Even then, a pause of federal funding for less than 36 hours has a real impact – Medicaid patients and Head Start children were cut off from their benefits, and funding for veteran organizations was put on hold.

“The Constitution is explicitly clear about where the power of the purse lies, and that is with Congress. The courts have previously decided on this issue and they have done so once again, reiterating the fact that the President’s power is not unchecked. Members of Congress do not serve under Presidents; they serve with Presidents, and it is our fundamental responsibility to oversee the expenditure of the public purse.

“Any attempt by the Trump Administration to withhold federal funding is unconstitutional and an executive overreach – period. Attacking, or threatening to attack, programs that benefit our families, students, elderly, and veterans is not good governance. Any future attempts to pause funding that has already been authorized by Congress will be stopped dead in its tracks. 

“For the sake of the American people, I hope we can get back to the work they elected us to do – the difficult work of real legislating.”