FEMA Withheld Grants in Violation of Court Order: Federal Judge

The Epoch Times Header

The Federal Emergency Management Agencyโ€™s pause on disbursing grants to states was previously paused.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) improperly withheld grants from states, in violation of a court ruling, a federal judge said on April 4.

โ€œFEMAโ€™s manual review process violates the Courtโ€™s preliminary injunction order,โ€ U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. wrote in a 15-page decision.

FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

McConnell on Jan. 31 entered a temporary restraining order that blocked FEMA and other federal agencies from pausing or canceling grants to 23 states and Washington. The order blocked compliance with an Office of Management and Budget memorandum directing officials to freeze funds.

The judge said at the time that the Executive Branchโ€™s suspension of federal assistance to states and others cited no legal authority and that โ€œno federal law would authorize the Executiveโ€™s unilateral action.โ€

McConnell in March transitioned the block to a preliminary injunction, which usually remains in place until a case is resolved in favor of one party or the other. The order was upheld by an appeals court, which rejected government arguments that the decision was too broad.

State officials told McConnell in a recent filing that despite the injunction, theyโ€™re experiencing โ€œsignificant obstacles to accessing federal funds.โ€ They said that Oregon is waiting for $129.4 million in federal funds, while Colorado is due more than $33 million in reimbursements from FEMA, because of a manual review process that FEMA is using.

The states asked McConnell to issue an order enforcing the injunction.

Government officials said in response that the manual review process is being used but that the courtโ€™s order โ€œdoes not regulate agenciesโ€™ timing for reviewing and approving grant payments; it prohibits agencies from freezing grant payments.โ€

They added later, โ€œFEMA intends to make appropriate payments under the relevant grants, which forecloses Plaintiffsโ€™ allegations of a continued โ€˜pauseโ€™ or โ€˜freeze.โ€™โ€

McConnell said the process, based on evidence presented by the states, is being implemented covertly and that it โ€œessentially imposes an indefinite categorical pause on payments.โ€

He said later that the process violates his injunction.

Byย Zachary Stieber

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

A Path to Reconciliation: Healing the Trump-Musk Feud for Americaโ€™s Futureย 

As a steadfast supporter of Trump and Musk, the recent public feud between these two titans of American innovation and leadership has been disheartening.

Bioterror Roundup: โ€˜An Apple a Day Keeps the Robot White-Coats Awayโ€™

Handing responsibility over to literal AI instead of de facto AI in a human skinsuit removesย allย morality and human empathy from the equation.

Data Center Construction Boom Faces Local Resistance in 28 States

The need for data centers to drive 21st century cloud computing and win the AI race with China is a matter of such national urgency.

Why Fishermen Are Catching Fewer Lobsters in Maine

For veteran lobsterman Travis Dammier, it was the end of another trip at sea on a solo voyage to earn a living.

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

News

Nearly 30-Year-Old Capital Gains Tax Exemption Rules Blamed for US Housing Shortage

Real estate professionals are drawing attention to a 28-year-old capital gains tax law as one factor contributing to the nationwide housing shortage.

IRS Reminds Taxpayers of June 16 Payment Deadline, and the Penalties

Estimated tax payments for the second quarter of 2025 are due on June 16, with taxpayers who fail to pay on time facing underpayment penalties, IRS said.

Owner Suspends Pornhub, YouPorn, RedTube in France

Firm behind Pornhub, YouPorn and RedTube suspended access to adult platforms in France protesting having to verify users are 18 or older.

Why Drug Price Reform Alone Wonโ€™t Heal America

What happens when medications become too cheap, plentiful, and automatic and we donโ€™t reform how drugs are used? We risk clinical harm.

Trump Says Musk Will Face โ€˜Very Serious Consequencesโ€™ If He Backs Democrats

President Trump warned that Musk could face โ€œserious consequencesโ€ if he decides to back Democratic political candidates in upcoming elections.

Judge Declines to Block Trump Admin From Dismantling Library Services Agency

A federal judge cleared the way for the Trump admin to move forward with plan to dismantle the federal agency that funds libraries nationwide.

Supreme Court to Review Alabamaโ€™s Death Row Case Concerning IQ Test

The Supreme Court will consider how courts should weigh multiple IQ tests when assessing a death row defendantโ€™s claim of intellectual disability.

US Travel Ban Will Not Hinder Los Angeles Olympics, LA28 CEO Says

Trumpโ€™s directive banning citizens from 12 countries from entering US exempts athletes. Officials confident Games have full backing of administration.
spot_img

Related Articles