ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – On January 29, the Trump administration quickly reversed a decision to freeze federal aid. This happened less than a day after the freeze was announced.
The freeze, declared on January 27, shocked many educators and charities. It ordered federal agencies to pause all federal assistance activities, causing immediate concern.
On January 30, a federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze. The next day, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a brief memo canceling the halt on funding for certain federal grants and loans.
On January 31, KALB talked to Cleo Fields, Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District Representative. He shared his thoughts on the freeze’s impact on Louisiana. Fields pointed out that such a freeze would cause anxiety for people across the country. He referenced a 1974 law that prevents the president from cutting funds that Congress has already approved. He praised the president for withdrawing the freeze, emphasizing that while the president can review programs, he can’t simply erase funding approved by Congress.
Fields stressed the importance of the separation of powers, reminding us that the U.S. government has three equal branches. He feels the initial freeze was poorly considered. Fields believes that while President Trump can scrutinize federal programs, he cannot change established funding.
The Department of Children and Family Services reports that in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, over 60,000 people in Louisiana received federal aid, including more than 26,000 children under 18. Fields noted that access to quality education is a major issue for those living in poverty in Louisiana.
Improving education is a key goal for Fields. On January 29, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that the state’s education ranking improved to 32nd, up from 49th in 2019. Fields aims to build on this progress by focusing on early childhood education.
“I want to establish an education caucus,” Fields said. “We need to direct more funds into early childhood education. This is crucial for our future. Louisiana is making strides, thanks to investments in early education. However, we still need over $80 million to address the gaps.”
Fields plans to push for increased funding for Head Start programs, especially in Louisiana, believing that investing in education makes a significant difference in children’s lives.
As goal-driven as he is, Fields hopes to see progress during the 119th Congress. The House of Representatives is set to reconvene on February 4 following a break at the end of January.
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