Pallone Condemns Trump Administration’s Directive Freezing Federal Grants and Loans

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) today condemned the Trump Administration’s late-night directive freezing billions in federal grants and loans—a move that jeopardizes critical services in New Jersey. This sudden directive has sent organizations across the state scrambling to continue providing essential support to local communities.

“By freezing billions in federal assistance, the Trump Administration is putting our entire economy at risk. This unlawful move will disrupt the operations of organizations and businesses and halt critical local projects across the country,” Pallone said. “This isn’t about fiscal responsibility—it’s about advancing an ideological agenda that ignores the real needs of the American people. Programs like Meals on Wheels, community health centers, disaster relief, infrastructure projects like the Carteret Ferry Terminal, and Medicaid portals have all been thrown into uncertainty because of this decision. Nonprofits, small businesses, and local governments in New Jersey are left scrambling because of this abrupt and unlawful change. I will do everything in my power to push back.”

The Trump Administration's January 27 memo claims to halt all federal financial assistance—including grants and loans—while agencies conduct a review to align programs with Trump’s misplaced priorities. This sweeping freeze impacts nonprofits, local governments, and businesses that rely on federal funding to serve their communities and fund important public projects. It also compounds the suffering already brought by Trump’s anti-refugee Executive Orders that prevent groups like Interfaith-RISE from assisting already vetted immigrants fleeing violence.

Pallone is asking constituents, nonprofits, and businesses affected by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze to share their stories by filling out this survey on his website. These firsthand accounts will help inform efforts to push back against this harmful policy and advocate for those impacted across New Jersey.