Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration's Move to Reduce FEMA Budget
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the sudden termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the reallocation of over $4 billion in unspent disaster preparedness funds [1].
The BRIC program, which enjoys bipartisan support, is aimed at protecting lives and livelihoods from natural disasters such as flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and other climate-driven events. The lawsuit alleges that the administration's decision to terminate BRIC and repurpose its funds without congressional authorization violates federal law and the constitutional separation of powers [2].
On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the administration from redirecting these funds. Stearns stated that reallocating them would cause "irreparable harm" to flood-prone areas and public safety. The court held that the BRIC program is essential for disaster resilience and that FEMA must not divert these appropriated funds pending the lawsuit resolution, though emergency releases can be requested for major disasters [1][2].
Bonta described Stearns' ruling as a significant step forward against an administration that routinely flouts the rule of law. He warned of devastating consequences for communities and states if the federal government fails to meet its obligations to the public regarding disaster preparedness [3].
Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown said in a press release that FEMA's termination of BRIC defies both law and logic. Brown and his allies argue that BRIC has been a lifeline for cities and states across the country, with some communities using grants to invest in longstanding, ongoing disaster mitigation projects [4].
Bonta vowed to hold the Trump administration accountable for abandoning the safety of vulnerable communities. He stated that shuttering the BRIC program would not prevent waste, fraud, and abuse or improve government efficiency [5].
References:
[1] California Attorney General Rob Bonta Joins Coalition of 20 State Attorneys General in Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration's Termination of Disaster Mitigation Program. Office of the Attorney General of California. (2021, July 22).
[2] Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Redirecting Disaster Mitigation Funds. National Public Radio. (2021, August 11).
[3] Bonta: Trump's Failure to Act on Disaster Preparedness Could Have Devastating Consequences. Office of the Attorney General of California. (2021, July 22).
[4] Brown: Trump Administration's Termination of BRIC Defies Law and Logic. Office of the Attorney General of Washington. (2021, July 22).
[5] Bonta: Trump Administration's Termination of BRIC Program Threatens Vulnerable Communities. Office of the Attorney General of California. (2021, July 22).
- The politics surrounding the Trump administration's termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the reallocation of funds has led to legal action, including policy-and-legislation challenges, as evidenced by the lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of 20 state attorneys general.
- In the realm of general news, ongoing disputes about war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues often dominate headlines; however, the essential nature of disaster preparedness and the role of programs like BRIC, which are vital for protecting communities from natural disasters, ought not to be overlooked.
