TL/DR –
U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Jimmy Panetta, Salud Carbajal, and Julia Brownley are requesting that the Trump Administration clarify its recent executive orders and memorandum pausing all federal financial assistance, and reveal a full list of affected programs and initiatives. They have voiced concerns about the impact on projects, including those under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction, claiming these actions are leaving Central Coast communities vulnerable and may hinder access to essential services. The Representatives are collecting data on the effects of the funding freeze, which has reportedly impacted a range of areas from agricultural subsidies, water resources, and Head Start programs, to electric vehicle funding and small business assistance.
SALINAS, CA – California Representatives Raise Concerns Over Federal Funding Freeze
U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Julia Brownley (CA-26) are urging the Trump Administration to clarify its recent executive orders and memorandum that pause federal financial assistance. They are demanding a full disclosure of programs and initiatives facing continued funding obstruction by federal agencies.
Despite the Administration rescinding its memorandum instructing agencies to halt federal funding, executive orders remain that instruct agencies to withhold funding for projects, including those from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction.
The representatives recently addressed this ongoing delay to Central Coast projects in a letter to the OMB Acting Director, backed by over 150 other House Democrats.
“The Trump Administration’s actions leave our Central Coast communities vulnerable. Without federal funding, local operations are threatened, and families face difficulties accessing essential services. We demand full transparency and disclosure about funding that could be targeted,” said Reps. Lofgren, Panetta, Carbajal, and Brownley.
Impacts on CA-18 and CA-19
Rep. Lofgren is gathering data via her website from California’s 18th District organizations potentially impacted by the funding freeze. A few examples include agricultural industry members unable to access subsidies, critical water resources from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, a nonprofit running Head Start programs, and Santa Cruz County’s at-risk electric vehicle (EV) funding.
Meanwhile, in CA-19, Rep. Panetta is collaborating with local entities impacted by the funding freeze. Disruptions range from local climate-focused infrastructure to small business assistance.
Impacts on CA-24 and CA-26
Rep. Carbajal has identified over $22 million in frozen federal funding for CA-24, majorly from programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure law or Inflation Reduction Act. For example, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) faces a $2.5 million budget hole due to the freeze of funds for a clean energy project.
In CA-26, important local projects in Ventura County, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, electric vehicle charging, and community development, are at risk due to the funding freeze. This instability is especially concerning as it interrupts efforts to address pressing infrastructure and community needs.
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