February 3, 2025

Grassroots outcries in response to the federal funding freeze are just a preview of the push back to come on members of Congress who take from the working class to give to the very rich

Chicago, IL – Fair Share America Executive Director Kristen Crowell released the following statement regarding the news that congressional committee leaders are mining federal budgets in order to extract taxpayer dollars to give massive tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations.

“Congressional leadership must not have gotten the message last week when constituents clearly said: don’t come for vital programs that support American families,” said Kristen Crowell, Fair Share America executive director. “People in red states and blue are furious and ready to fight back against cuts to the public programs they rely on. Congress will not be able to cut Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and more in order to make their rich buddies richer without major political repercussions from their constituents.”

To speak with Kristen or any number of organizers and individuals protesting these actions with their elected representatives, please contact Ashley (@fairshareusa.org) or Kristin (kristin@fairshareusa.org).

BACKGROUND: People have gone the mat in just the last week for the funding and programs that support working families and build a strong middle class:

Passionate voters and community-based organizations also increased pressure on Congress to make the right choice in the tax fight and put families over billionaires. 

• Coalitions from 11 states sent letters to their congressional delegations urging them to oppose extending and expanding tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations that would necessitate deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and more. 

• Concerned citizens are ramping up questions for their state’s Senators and Representatives – asking where they stand on efforts to make huge cuts to programs that help Americans and grow the economy in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich and corporations. 

Elected officials and community leaders from both parties joined together to fight back against Trump’s federal funding “freeze.”  

• Governors called out the danger for American families and the impact on state economies. 

• State Attorneys General filed lawsuits to block the efforts to hold back already appropriated money for state-based health care, transportation, and nonprofit services.

• Individuals and local groups railed against the disastrous federal funding freeze, calling out how it jeopardized services that keep communities and American families safe.

Most importantly – they were heard loud and clear: Trump Retreats From Fund Freeze Attempt After Uproar. 

Here are some highlights of what people are saying in the states:

ALABAMA: “No matter what you look like or where you’re from, we all believe in caring for our families and community…Americans want you to meet the moment and put the future and well-being of all of us ahead of tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected. Alabamians prioritize funding services and taxing the wealthy by a wide, bipartisan margin.” -  Alabama Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

ALASKA: “The grant freeze ordered by the Trump Administration could have an immediate impact on those experiencing homelessness, those who rely on housing subsidies and the programs that serve them. Life-saving programs that serve the most vulnerable Alaskans now are at great risk.” - Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness [Press Release, 1/28/25]

ARIZONA: “By refusing to continue tax handouts to billionaires and the corporations they own, you can show Arizonans—and the nation—that you’re ready to fight for the bottom lines that matter, those of the families and workers who power our state daily.” - Arizona Letter to the congressional delegation[1/29/25]

COLORADO: “Denying critical funding to programs that support the medical and social needs of our patients will have direct impacts on the health and well-being of Coloradans across the state.” - Dane Roper, Denver Health System [Denver Post, 1/29/25]

CONNECTICUT: We are concerned about the new administration's threats against our immigrant community and threats to federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, education funding and the Affordable Care Act. We need you to prioritize policies that benefit working families and make the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe. - Connecticut for All Coalition [Letter to the congressional delegation, 1/29/25]

IDAHO: “It’s a pretty big shock to the system.” - Kevin Bailey, Idaho Nonprofit Center. [Idaho News 6, 1/29/25]

IOWA: "I don't think any of us would think that the services that Iowans rely on are 'woke.' I don't think anyone has thought of housing services, food support, child care, domestic violence services, scientific research, the funding that funds our universities -- That's all programs that Iowans rely on every single day just so they can thrive and survive," she says.” - Bethany Snyder, the director of the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance [KCCI Des Moines, 1/29/25]

MASSACHUSETTS: "Federal funding is hugely important to the nonprofit sector, and more importantly, to the people served by nonprofits. Billions of dollars come every year from the federal government to nonprofits in Massachusetts. Tens and tens of thousands of nonprofit jobs depend on that funding," Klocke said. "It's in every sector. Housing, crime prevention, research, after-school care -- they all have federal funding in them to one degree or another.” - Massachusetts Nonprofit Network CEO Jim Klocke [State House News Service, 1/29/25]

MICHIGAN: “Coming from a veteran’s perspective, they’re depending on these programs, they’re depending on some of those grants and loans. I don’t mean they want this — I mean they are depending on it.” - U.S. Army veteran Lawrence Gary [WXYZ Detroit, 1/28/25]

"Federal funding is critical to protecting the health and safety of all Michiganders — ensuring drinking water is clean and food is safe, keeping people in their homes and the power on, and funding homeland security and emergency management," she said. - Michigan State Budget Director Jen Flood [Detroit Free Press, 1/28/25]

MONTANA: “Voters want Congress to focus on other things, like the price of groceries and child care; the richest 5% of households don’t need more tax cuts. Montana residents prioritize funding services and taxing the wealthy by a wide, bipartisan margin.” -  Montana Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

NEW HAMPSHIRE: “We urge you to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to highlight how this unfair tax code disadvantages working families and the harmful consequences of funding these massive corporate tax breaks through devastating cuts. No matter what we look like or where we're from, we all believe in caring for our families and communities.” -  New Hampshire Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

NEW JERSEY: “As you know, the incoming Administration and Congressional Majority have made plans to prioritize extending and potentially expanding the 2017 Trump tax law (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, TCJA) that is set to expire. We urge you to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing inequities with our tax code and to raise more revenue to meet our country’s current obligations and address critical unmet needs.” - New Jersey Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

NEW YORK: “We –– grassroots organizations and electoral groups, representing millions of New Yorkers –– urge you to use the expiration of these provisions as an opportunity to address long-standing inequities in our tax code, raise more public funds to meet our country’s current fiscal obligations, and address the critical unmet needs of your constituents.” -  New York Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

VERMONT: “This tax cut for those most able to pay decreases funds available for investment in our communities while increasing income and wealth inequality….For too long, it has been slanted towards the wealthy and large corporations, and the economy, our country, and communities and families in Vermont have suffered as a result.” - Vermont Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

VIRGINIA: “If that grant funding is cut off again like it was the other day, we will have health centers that most likely will have to shut their doors.” - Tracy Douglas, CEO of Virginia Community Health Care Association [WVIR - Charlottesville, 1/29/25]

WASHINGTON: “If federal funding goes away, it's ‘a huge hit in the amount of people we can feed,’ said the CEO of Meals on Wheels People, which fed 11,000 residents last year.” - Suzanne Washington, CEO of Meals on Wheels People [KGW8 - Portland, 1/29/25]

“Our collective organizations work every day to reduce poverty and racial disparities, expand economic opportunity, create good union jobs, address our housing and homelessness crisis, and fully fund our schools. Our mission is to move Washington State and the nation toward justice and equity, and that speaks directly to the importance of how Congress acts on taxes next year.” - Washington Coalition Letter to the congressional delegation [1/29/25]

WISCONSIN: “Yesterday’s events unleashed a wave of chaos and fear that disproportionately impacted our most vulnerable communities-low-income seniors, veterans and people living with disabilities.” - Revitalize Milwaukee’s President and CEO Melanie Roach. [Spectrum News 1, 1/29/25]

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