NY AG Blocks $10B Childcare & Family Assistance Freeze

New York – In a stunning reversal of the Trump administration’s austerity measures, New York Attorney General Letitia James has halted the freeze of over $10 billion in federal funding intended for childcare and support for vulnerable families. The AG’s office has secured a second court order preventing the implementation of this illegal funding halt.

‘Every day, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers rely on these funds to pay for necessities and provide their children with a safe learning environment,’ James stated. ‘This funding freeze would have caused severe chaos in the lives of some of our most vulnerable families. I am proud to have secured another victory in this case to put a stop to it.’

On January 8th, Attorney General James led a coalition of four other states in filing a lawsuit against the administration. The lawsuit aimed to protect three critical programs: the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). These funds were at risk due to the administration’s attempt to target political opponents by freezing federal funds.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted a temporary restraining order on January 9th, blocking the implementation of the funding freeze. Today, the court upheld this decision, granting a preliminary injunction that continues to block the funding freeze and allows the states to draw down funds for the three targeted programs.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit were the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. The AGs’ move is seen as a significant victory for those who rely on these essential services.