{"id":1992,"date":"2026-01-08T10:57:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/?p=1992"},"modified":"2026-01-11T10:07:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:07:58","slug":"federal-funding-for-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Funding for States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Press_Release**_0\"><strong>Press Release<\/strong>: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/ag\/press-releases\/2025-press-releases\/attorney-general-tong-challenges-trump-illegal-attempts-to-terminate-federal-funding-for-states\">Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Chal\u00adlenges Trump Ille\u00adgal Attempts to Ter\u00admi\u00adnate Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Preceding_Event**_0\"><strong>Preceding Event<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On the first day of Pres\u00adi\u00addent Don\u00adald Trump\u2019s sec\u00adond term, Jan. 20, the Depart\u00adment of Gov\u00adern\u00adment Effi\u00adcien\u00adcy, lead by Elon Musk, began cut\u00adting fed\u00ader\u00adal depart\u00adments, pro\u00adgrams and grants. Thou\u00adsands of grants pre\u00advi\u00adous\u00adly award\u00aded to states and grantees had been revoked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much of the jus\u00adti\u00adfi\u00adca\u00adtion for the legal\u00adi\u00adty of this was through a clause in reg\u00adu\u00adla\u00adtions pro\u00admul\u00adgat\u00aded by the Office of Man\u00adage\u00adment of Bud\u00adget (OMB). The clause \u201cpro\u00advides that fed\u00ader\u00adal agen\u00adcies may ter\u00admi\u00adnate grants \u2018pur\u00adsuant to the terms and con\u00addi\u00adtions of the Fed\u00ader\u00adal award, includ\u00ading, to the extent autho\u00adrized by law, if an award no longer effec\u00adtu\u00adates the pro\u00adgram goals or agency pri\u00ador\u00adi\u00adties\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The five words \u201cno longer effec\u00adtu\u00adates agency pri\u00ador\u00adi\u00adties\u201d have been used as a way to can\u00adcel grants and pre\u00advent new ones from being award\u00aded. Each of the named defen\u00addants in the suit has uti\u00adlized the five words at least once in order to ter\u00admi\u00adnate a fed\u00ader\u00adal grant award\u00aded to a state, the suit alleges. While this had been a clause in place since 2020, its use in these ways goes against the prece\u00addent of how it was being used pri\u00ador Pres\u00adi\u00addent Trump\u2019s sec\u00adond term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**General_Overview**_0\"><strong>General Overview<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accord\u00ading to the press release from June 24, 2025, \u201cAttor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal William Tong today announced that he has joined a coali\u00adtion of 21 attor\u00adneys gen\u00ader\u00adal suing the Trump Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion over its unprece\u00addent\u00aded and unlaw\u00adful attempts to invoke a sin\u00adgle pro\u00advi\u00adsion buried in the fed\u00ader\u00adal reg\u00adu\u00adla\u00adtions to strip away bil\u00adlions of dol\u00adlars in crit\u00adi\u00adcal fed\u00ader\u00adal fund\u00ading for states and oth\u00ader grantees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Con\u00adgress has the pow\u00ader of the purse and already had funds allo\u00adcat\u00aded. Con\u00adgress is now hav\u00ading their author\u00adi\u00adty chal\u00adlenged by the exec\u00adu\u00adtive branch as the mon\u00adey they allo\u00adcat\u00aded is not being used in the way they intend\u00aded, the suit argues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a fun\u00adda\u00admen\u00adtal issue of the sep\u00ada\u00adra\u00adtion of pow\u00aders. The suit also argues that the OMB clause used by the admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion to ter\u00admi\u00adnate these grants is not being inter\u00adpret\u00aded in the way intend\u00aded when it was orig\u00adi\u00adnal\u00adly estab\u00adlished by the OMB in 2020. It was not meant to be used to jus\u00adti\u00adfy ter\u00admi\u00adna\u00adtions sim\u00adply when agency poli\u00adcies and pri\u00ador\u00adi\u00adties change, the suit said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Connecticut_Nexus**_0\"><strong>Connecticut Nexus:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accord\u00ading to the law\u00adsuit, \u201cIn or around March 2025, USDA\u2019s Agri\u00adcul\u00adtur\u00adal Mar\u00adket\u00ading Ser\u00advice (AMS), a USDA sub\u00adagency, ter\u00admi\u00adnat\u00aded coop\u00ader\u00ada\u00adtive agree\u00adments with Plain\u00adtiffs through the Local Food Pur\u00adchase Assis\u00adtance Coop\u00ader\u00ada\u00adtive Agree\u00adment Pro\u00adgram (LFPA Program)\u2026In Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut, AMS ter\u00admi\u00adnat\u00aded the LFPA 2025 Coop\u00ader\u00ada\u00adtive Agree\u00adment with the Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut Depart\u00adment of Agri\u00adcul\u00adture. Through that coop\u00ader\u00ada\u00adtive agree\u00adment, Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut had planned to serve farm\u00aders and com\u00admu\u00adni\u00adties fac\u00ading food inse\u00adcu\u00adri\u00adty by sup\u00adport\u00ading the pur\u00adchase of prod\u00aduct from local pro\u00adduc\u00aders and the dis\u00adtri\u00adb\u00adu\u00adtion of that prod\u00aduct to under\u00adserved com\u00admu\u00adni\u00adties through a net\u00adwork of organizations\u2026The fund\u00ading would have sup\u00adport\u00aded con\u00adtin\u00adu\u00ada\u00adtion and expan\u00adsion of a pro\u00adgram which pur\u00adchas\u00ades healthy, local food from 131 agri\u00adcul\u00adtur\u00adal pro\u00adduc\u00aders and sup\u00adplies that food to Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut indi\u00advid\u00adu\u00adals fac\u00ading food inse\u00adcu\u00adri\u00adty through a net\u00adwork of non-prof\u00adit orga\u00adni\u00adza\u00adtions which oper\u00adate at 561 dis\u00adtri\u00adb\u00adu\u00adtion cen\u00adters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Date_of_filing**_0\"><strong>Date of filing<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>June 24, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_#**_0\"><strong>Case #<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/ag\/press_releases\/2025\/agency-priorities---convenience-clause-complaint.pdf?rev=1eb84bc655884234818507cdca600d92&amp;hash=CC6FE452818E098A4A6B46362F98F036\">1:25-cv-11816<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_title**_0\"><strong>Case title:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>State of New Jer\u00adsey et al v. U.S. Office of Man\u00adage\u00adment and Bud\u00adget et al<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Plaintiffs**_21_states_and_D.C._0\"><strong>Plaintiffs<\/strong>: 21 states and D.C.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>STATE OF NEW JERSEY,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW YORK,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ARIZONA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CALIFORNIA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF COLORADO,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CONNECTICUT,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF DELAWARE,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF HAWAI\u2018I,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ILLINOIS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MAINE,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MARYLAND,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ATTORNEY GENERAL DANA NESSEL FOR THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MINNESOTA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEVADA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW MEXICO,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF OREGON,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>JOSH SHAPIRO, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Gov\u00ader\u00adnor of the Com\u00admon\u00adwealth of Penn\u00adsyl\u00adva\u00adnia,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF VERMONT,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WISCONSIN,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Defendants**_0\"><strong>Defendants<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>U.S. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RUSSELL VOUGHT, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Direc\u00adtor of the Office of Man\u00adage\u00adment &amp; Bud\u00adget;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BROOKE L. ROLLINS, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Agri\u00adcul\u00adture;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HOWARD LUTNICK, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Com\u00admerce;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PETE HEGSETH, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as the Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Defense;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KRISTI NOEM, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PAMELA JO BONDI, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal of the U.S.;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LORI CHAVEZ DeRE\u00adMER, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Labor;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MARCO RUBIO, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of State, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LEE ZELDIN, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtor of the Envi\u00adron\u00admen\u00adtal Pro\u00adtec\u00adtion Agency;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DAVID RICHARDSON, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as the Senior Offi\u00adcial Per\u00adform\u00ading the Duties of the Admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtor;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MICHAEL MCDONALD, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Act\u00ading Chair\u00adman of the Nation\u00adal Endow\u00adment for the Human\u00adi\u00adties;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BRIAN STONE, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as the Act\u00ading Direc\u00adtor of the Nation\u00adal Sci\u00adence Foun\u00adda\u00adtion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Court**_0\"><strong>Court<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Status_as_of_Dec._1,_2025**_0\"><strong>Status as of Dec. 1, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OPEN<br>Last fil\u00ading: Nov. 6, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Lawsuit Index\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">chrono\u00adlog\u00adi\u00adcal Index of law\u00adsuits <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/birthright-citizenship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Birthright Cit\u00adi\u00adzen\u00adship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-federal-funding-freeze-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading Freeze to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-doges-access-to-treasury-systems\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOGE\u2019s Access to Trea\u00adsury Sys\u00adtems<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/nih-and-hhs-funding-for-medical-research\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014NIH and HHS Fund\u00ading for Med\u00adical Research<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/power-given-to-musk\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pow\u00ader Giv\u00aden to Musk<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/mass-firings-of-federal-probationary-employees\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Mass Fir\u00adings of Fed\u00ader\u00adal Pro\u00adba\u00adtion\u00adary Employ\u00adees<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Depart\u00adment<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014HHS Cuts $11 Bil\u00adlion in Pub\u00adlic Health Grants to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/voting-rights-and-elections-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Vot\u00ading Rights and Elec\u00adtions Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/attack-on-museums-libraries-workers\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Attack on Muse\u00adums, Libraries &amp; Work\u00aders<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/stopping-tariffs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Stop\u00adping Tar\u00adiffs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/k-12-funding-conditions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014K\u201112 Fund\u00ading Con\u00addi\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-of-americorps\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Ameri\u00adCorps<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/halting-wind-energy\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Halt\u00ading Wind Ener\u00adgy<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling HHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/big-oil-and-energy-emergency\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Big Oil and Ener\u00adgy Emer\u00adgency<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dhs-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DOT<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/protecting-science-research-and-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pro\u00adtect\u00ading Sci\u00adence and Research Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/mental-health-funding-cuts-in-k-12\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Men\u00adtal Health Fund\u00ading Cuts in K\u201112<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/sharing-health-information-with-ice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Shar\u00ading Health Infor\u00adma\u00adtion With ICE<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/the-freezing-of-6-8-billion-in-education-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Freez\u00ading of $6.8 Bil\u00adlion in Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/cutting-disaster-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Cut\u00adting Dis\u00adas\u00adter Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/1-8-million-people-losing-health-insurance\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u20141.8 Mil\u00adlion Peo\u00adple Los\u00ading Health Insur\u00adance<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-restrictions-on-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Restric\u00adtions on Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/usda-demands-snap-recipient-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014USDA Demands SNAP Recip\u00adi\u00adent Infor\u00adma\u00adtion<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/medicaid-funding-for-planned-parenthood\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Med\u00adic\u00adaid Fund\u00ading for Planned Par\u00adent\u00adhood<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/gender-affirming-care\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Gen\u00adder Affirm\u00ading Care<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/doe-funding-cap-for-state-energy-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOE Fund\u00ading Cap for State Ener\u00adgy Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Vic\u00adtims of Crime Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/revolution-wind-stop-work-order\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Rev\u00ado\u00adlu\u00adtion Wind Stop Work Order<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-sex-ed-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Sex Ed Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/homeland-security-funding-cuts\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty Fund\u00ading Cuts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/second-lawsuit-against-doj-for-crime-survivors\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sec\u00adond Law\u00adsuit Against DOJ for Crime Sur\u00advivors<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/suspending-snap-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sus\u00adpend\u00ading SNAP Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/public-service-loan-forgiveness-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pub\u00adlic Ser\u00advice Loan For\u00adgive\u00adness Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Changes in HUD Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/snap-immigration-eligibility-changes\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014SNAP Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Eli\u00adgi\u00adbil\u00adi\u00adty Changes<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press Release: Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Chal\u00adlenges Trump Ille\u00adgal Attempts to Ter\u00admi\u00adnate Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States Pre\u00adced\u00ading Event: On the first day of Pres\u00adi\u00addent Don\u00adald Trump\u2019s sec\u00adond term, Jan. 20, the Depart\u00adment of Gov\u00adern\u00adment Effi\u00adcien\u00adcy, lead by Elon Musk, began cut\u00adting fed\u00ader\u00adal depart\u00adments, pro\u00adgrams and grants. Thou\u00adsands of grants pre\u00advi\u00adous\u00adly award\u00aded to states and grantees had [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lawsuits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1986,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":0},"title":"Immigration Conditions Placed on DOT Funding","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Illegal Immigration Conditions Preceding Event: According to the lawsuit, \"On April 24, 2025, United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy issued\u00a0a letter (the 'Duffy Directive')\u00a0to all recipients of U.S. DOT funding announcing its policy, for the first time, of imposing an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":524,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/05\/federal-research-cuts-hit-uconn\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":1},"title":"Federal research cuts hit UConn&nbsp;","author":"Sara Bedigian","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Sara Bedigian UConn Journalism Sign on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus. UConn has lost $95 million in federal funding over the past year. Photo by Sara Bedigian University of Connecticut\u00a0Professor\u00a0Jennifer\u00a0McGarry\u00a0has spent more than 20 years running a federally\u00a0funded program that provides nutrition and physical activity support to low-income\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4228-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2030,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/homeland-security-funding-cuts\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":2},"title":"Homeland Security Funding Cuts","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Emergency Lawsuit to Protect Critical Homeland Security Funding from Politically Motivated Cuts Preceding Event: On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed\u00a0Executive Order 14159, declaring that certain states and\/or jurisdictions were in \"lawless insurrection\" and directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deny federal funding to so\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2038,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":3},"title":"Changes in HUD Grants","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Over HUD Policy That Would Put More People Into Homelessness Preceding Event: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a cabinet level agency within the executive branch of the federal government whose primary purpose is to administer federal housing and urban development\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":408,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/05\/the-trump-administration-takes-aim-at-science\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":4},"title":"Trump administration takes aim at science, public health","author":"Jenna Outcalt","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Photo by Barbara Burgess via Unsplash \/ April 6, 2025 By Jenna OutcaltUConn Journalism The United States has long been a leader\u00a0in scientific research\u00a0and\u00a0a collaborator\u00a0with other countries and state governments on public health and other scientific endeavors.\u00a0 But after a year of misleading claims about vaccines, climate change and other\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Communities&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Communities","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/communities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/10\/SC-assault-science-protest-2025_barbara-burgess-unsplash.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":654,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/05\/trump-administration-takes-on-higher-ed\/","url_meta":{"origin":1992,"position":5},"title":"How federal grant cuts and funding freezes threaten higher education","author":"Sara Bedigian","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Sara BedigianUConn Journalism Fairfield Way on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus. UConn, Connecticut's flagship university, has faced millions of dollars of federal research grant cuts. Photo by Sara Bedigian Higher education has been considered a pillar of scientific research, drug discovery and technological innovation that has fueled the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/IMG_4362-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgTa6m-w8","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1992"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2075,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992\/revisions\/2075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}