Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York State Attorney General Tish James sounded the alarm on the disastrous ramifications of President Trump’s ongoing attempts to freeze grants and loans disbursed by the federal government. A federal funding freeze would severely harm New Yorkers, from aid to seniors to funds to address food insecurity and homelessness to critical money for law enforcement.
“The chaos, uncertainty, and disorder fueled by the Trump administration is wreaking economic havoc on families and communities across New York,” said Senator Gillibrand. “A government funding freeze would put both the public safety and well-being of New Yorkers at risk. The Trump administration seems intent on harming New York families. While so much remains in question from this past week, it is imperative that everyone know what is at stake for our city, state, and nation.”
“The public servants who go to work every day to care for New Yorkers and keep them safe rely on federal funds to do their jobs,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “This administration is putting New Yorkers in danger by pushing massive cuts to resources that support our most vulnerable communities and public safety efforts statewide. I am leading a coalition of attorneys general to end this destructive policy, and I thank Senator Gillibrand for her partnership as we fight to protect these funds that keep our communities safe.”
“From our non-profits to our public schools, Trump’s reckless funding freeze would have devastating consequences for New Yorkers, particularly with regard to low-income students and the innumerable programs and services they rely upon,” said New York State Senator John Liu. “It’s politics at its worst that puts partisanship before the wellbeing of the most vulnerable among us who depend on federal aid to access essential support services.”
“The ill-conceived White House budget freeze continues to cause great fear, uncertainly, and worry for tens of thousands of community-based nonprofit organizations nationwide — as well as for the tens of millions of the most vulnerable Americans whom we collectively serve,” said Joel Berg, CEO of the nonpartisan nonprofit organization Hunger Free America. “Any threats to nutrition assistance programs are especially counterproductive, undermining the Administration’s claim that it wants to improve public health.”
“The chaos and confusion caused by the Trump Administration’s freeze on contacts is having an immediate and harmful effect on older New Yorkers and family caregivers” said Allison Nickerson Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “Federal programs, like Meals on Wheels and housing assistance, provide life-sustaining support and relief to older adults who are already struggling to make ends meet. Older New Yorkers and citizens across the country expect their government to support them, not pull the rug out from under them. LiveOn NY is grateful Senator Gillibrand continues to fight for the fundamental services that New York’s older adults rely on every day.
While some federal programs are still accessible for the moment, others have been suspended, such as select United States Department of Justice grants. A federal funding freeze has the potential to block billions of dollars in federal grants for New York State. For example:
Federal Counter-Terrorism Funding
- $290M was allotted to New York for State Fiscal Year 2025.
Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels
- $66M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels.
- These grants include HHS’ Older Americans Act Title III Part C Nutrition Services and HHS’ Nutrition Services Incentives Program.
Homeless Shelters
- $368M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 to fund homeless shelters, including $227 million for entities in New York City.
- These grants include programs HUD’s Continuum of Care Program and HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant Program.
Food Banks
- $15M was awarded to New York State-based entities in FY2024 for programs that distribute food to people in need, such as food banks.
- The funding was awarded through USDA’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Disability Programs
- $60B in Medicaid grant funding was awarded to New York State in FY2024.
- On top of Medicaid, New York State-based entities were awarded $70 million in federal grants for programs, research, and services benefiting people with disabilities in FY2024.
- This includes at least $9 million for entities in New York City.
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters
- $13.6M in Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants was awarded to New York municipalities and fire departments in FY2024 to help recruit and train firefighters.
- $17.8M in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) was awarded to New York municipalities and fire departments in FY2024 to help purchase firefighting vehicles and equipment.
- Since FY2023, the FDNY has been awarded over $2M in AFG funding.
FEMA Port Security Grant Program
- $14.1M was awarded to New York State in FY2024.
- This included $3.8M for the FDNY,$6.6M for the NYPD, and $880K for the Port Authority.
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