FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2025
PHOENIX – House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos released the following statement
after the Trump Administration unilaterally and illegally halted billions in federal dollars for
essential services in all 50 states and Indigenous Tribal nations before being halted by a federal judge today.
“People could die as a result of Donald Trump’s illegal order to freeze federal aid. Even if the
White House backs away from parts of this order, this was either an act of incredible cruelty or
bumbling incompetence -- neither bodes well for our country. Trump's illegal order has shut
down virtually all federal state aid, including Medicaid in Arizona. The billionaires clamoring
for their tax cuts won’t feel the pain, but everyone else will. If allowed to stand, this illegal order will rip away healthcare coverage from two million Arizonans: Hospitals will close, people will suffer, and people could die. Meals for the elderly will go undelivered, veterans will go without benefits they have earned, and which sustain them day by day. Funding for law enforcement and child protective services will be stopped and our homes and neighborhoods will be less safe. A federal judge has already temporarily halted this blatantly illegal act, but it must be permanently reversed."
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