Funding freeze prompts state officials' pleas to senators
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Lawmakers are hearing pleas from state officials and other federal grantees about the Trump administration's ongoing funding freeze.
Why it matters: The IRA and IIJA sent big money to red and blue states alike, which is putting some pressure on Congress to get the money flowing again.
What they're saying: Senate Environment and Public Works Chair Shelley Moore Capito said she's heard from transportation officials in West Virginia on stalled infrastructure law money.
- "I think the IIJA money is obligated and needs to be pushed out," she told Nick.
- And Sen. Martin Heinrich told Daniel: "We're still trying to get a handle on what is actually frozen and what is not to be able to start unsticking some things again. A lot of this will be impacted by what the court decides."
Yes, but: The IRA funds remain much more controversial with Republicans, who want to rescind as much of the law as they can despite grant awards across red states.
Capito and other Republicans have targeted EPA's IRA-fueled Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which includes the Solar for All program frozen under President Trump's executive order.
So far, that money remains in limbo despite federal court orders, Politico reported Tuesday.
- West Virginia's Office of Energy notably got $106 million under that program.
- Millions went to state agencies in other red and purple states, as well, including $156 million to Louisiana and $62 million to Utah.
- So far, that kind of spending doesn't seem to be swaying Republicans.
- "On the discretionary funds, I think we need to look at who's getting these grants, but also … were they flushed out the door at the last minute?" Capito said.
