WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has frozen, delayed, or disrupted roughly $430 billion in federal funds, targeting programs from disease research to Head Start and disaster relief, according to senior Democrats who call the actions an “unprecedented and dangerous” assault on essential services for millions of Americans.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington and Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the ranking Democrats on the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, unveiled an online tracker on Tuesday detailing how President Donald J. Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, through the Department of Government Efficiency, have interrupted the flow of congressionally approved funds, often in defiance of federal law.
“Instead of investing in the American people, President Trump is flouting our laws and stripping away vital resources,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
The tracker, which the lawmakers described as a work in progress, offers a snapshot of the administration’s actions 100 days into Mr. Trump’s second term. It highlights a growing constitutional clash between the executive and legislative branches, with real-world consequences for communities nationwide. The administration’s moves have sparked dozens of lawsuits from state and local governments, advocacy groups, and others seeking to preserve the affected programs.
The White House and its Republican allies in Congress defend the measures as efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending. The administration is battling in court to uphold many of its funding cuts, even as Mr. Musk, whose public approval has waned, plans to step back from day-to-day operations at the Department of Government Efficiency.
The Office of Management and Budget, led by Mr. Trump’s appointee, is preparing to submit a $9 billion rescissions package to Congress, proposing cuts to agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development, among others.
Ms. Murray and Mr. DeLauro said their tracker aims to “shine a light on President Trump’s sweeping, unlawful funding freeze and its impact on every corner of America.” They urged Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk to halt what they called a reckless campaign.
While some Republicans have privately expressed unease about the scope of the cuts, few have spoken out publicly, wary of provoking Mr. Trump’s ire. Instead, many work quietly to restore funding for programs critical to their constituents.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, now under Republican control, craft the annual spending bills that Congress passes and sends to the president for approval. The current standoff underscores tensions over the administration’s efforts to reshape federal spending priorities.
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