A federal judge has stepped into the fray, putting a halt to the Trump administration’s plans to reallocate a hefty $4 billion in disaster relief funds.
In a legal showdown, 20 state attorneys general, all Democrats, took action against the administration to prevent FEMA from shuttering the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This initiative was designed to bolster infrastructure against the ravages of natural disasters, but the administration’s intentions to redirect these funds towards other disaster management efforts sparked considerable controversy.
Boston-based U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns, appointed during the Clinton era, asserted that FEMA lacks the constitutional authority to divert funds that Congress has already earmarked. He stated, “While the Government dithered on whether it has truly ended the BRIC program, the evidence presented by the States indicates that FEMA is indeed acting as if that termination is a done deal.” He added that the agency has already begun canceling new funding opportunities and has advised stakeholders to temper their expectations regarding unobligated funds.
The Associated Press reported:
A federal judge has intervened to prevent the Trump administration from reallocating $4 billion intended for community protection against natural disasters.
U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns granted a preliminary injunction requested by 20 states led by Democrats, allowing their lawsuit regarding the funding to proceed. The states contend that FEMA does not possess the authority to terminate the BRIC program and redirect over $4 billion of its funding, which is crucial for fortifying infrastructure nationwide against storm damage.
Initially, FEMA declared the program’s termination, but later claimed in court that it was merely “evaluating” its status.
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