WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) joined 153 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump Administration regarding its recent Executive Order immediately pausing disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding. The Democrats’ letter demands that the Trump administration release a list of all programs, projects, and activities currently frozen under its Executive Order.
Funds from these laws underwrite thousands of infrastructure and development projects nationwide and employ countless Americans in quality jobs across every congressional district.
“The Trump administration’s decision to pause critical funding for projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act is a direct blow to the communities who depend on these investments for better roads, cleaner air, and good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Grijalva. “This reckless move only delays the progress that we’ve worked so hard to secure for the people of southern Arizona. It’s also a stark reminder that Trump is willing to play partisan politics to interfere with essential programs and government functions at the expense of our constituents, as we can see with his recent announcement on freezing all federal funding. It is a clear violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, a law designed to prevent the executive branch from withholding congressionally appropriated funds without proper justification or approval. This action will lead to missed paychecks and rent payments, directly affecting workers’ livelihoods and the lives of our constituents.”
“We urge you to clarify what specific funds this Administration is withholding unconstitutionally – funds that our laws require be invested in American communities. The American people deserve an answer, and if President Trump’s repeated claims that he cares about government transparency were honest, you will provide them with one,” the members wrote.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
Background
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in late 2021, secured billions of dollars in federal funding for much-needed highway, rail, broadband, water infrastructure upgrades and improvements across the United States. The legislation brought millions of dollars in funding back to Arizona, including $147 million for the San Luis Port of Entry, $216 million for the new Douglas Port of Entry, and $184 million for rehabilitation at the current Douglas Port of Entry. It also set aside $95 million for I-10 expansion, $46 million for railroad crossing safety and infrastructure upgrades, and over $275 million for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure upgrades.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 stands as the largest climate investment in the nation’s history—nearly $370 billion. The wide-ranging legislation included funds to lower health care costs, lower energy costs, combat climate change, and ensure that corporations pay their fair share. A poll found that more than 7 in 10 voters overwhelmingly supported the IRA at the time of its passage.