Judge Limits Trump Grant Cancellations in 21 States, Putting $5.4 Billion in Funding at Issue
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 20
Judge Limits Trump Grant Cancellations in 21 States, Putting $5.4 Billion in Funding at Issue
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 20
Summary
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ruled that federal agencies cannot cancel existing grants simply because a new administration has different policy priorities, siding with 21 states and the District of Columbia.
The decision rejects a key Trump administration argument that a grant may be terminated when it no longer fits current agency priorities, saying that standard refers to the goals in place when the award was made.
New Jersey-led states told the court that $5.4 billion in grant funding was at risk, though they did not seek reinstatement of grants already terminated or other damages.
The ruling lands as the administration pushes a broader overhaul of federal grant rules that drew about 500,000 public comments and is being watched by credit-rating agencies for its potential to raise borrowing costs for hospitals, universities and local governments.