The White House recently withdrew a memo that had ordered a broad freeze on federal grants and loans after Republican senators expressed outrage over the unexpected directive, which created confusion in their home states.
While GOP lawmakers refrained from publicly criticizing former President Donald Trump, many were furious behind closed doors, according to Senate sources. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had issued the memo on Monday, but its vague wording led many to believe it could halt funding for a wide range of programs.
One Republican senator, speaking anonymously, revealed that state officials and constituents were alarmed and immediately sought clarification. “Governors and local leaders were coming to us, asking, ‘What does this mean? Are we about to lose funding for vital programs?’” the senator explained. The memo, as written, seemed like a brand-new funding freeze, adding to the confusion.
Another Republican senator described the memo’s sudden release as “shocking”, saying it sent the Senate GOP into a frenzy as lawmakers scrambled to understand the implications. “We were all hyperventilating over the pause on federal funds and programs,” the senator admitted.
Concerned about the broad language and potential impact, Republican senators, led by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), pushed back directly against the White House. They urged officials to clarify the directive, emphasizing that it lacked specificity and could create unnecessary panic among states reliant on federal funding.
Ultimately, the backlash prompted the White House to rescind the memo, avoiding further uncertainty.