LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S STATEMENT DENOUNCING TRUMP’S RECKLESS FREEZE ON FEDERAL FUNDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025
CONTACT: ldpcommunications@lademo.org

LOUISIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S STATEMENT DENOUNCING TRUMP’S RECKLESS FREEZE ON FEDERAL FUNDING

Chair Gaines: “This is not leadership — it’s deliberate destruction”

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana Democratic Party strongly denounces President Donald Trump’s reckless call for a freeze on federal funding, a move that threatens to devastate communities all across our state. The freeze, which targets critical infrastructure, disaster relief, healthcare, and education funding, puts Louisiana families at risk and undermines the state’s economic stability.

“Donald Trump’s demand to block federal funding is a direct attack on hardworking Louisianans,” said Randal Gaines, Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “From disaster recovery to healthcare access, our state relies on federal support to rebuild, grow, and thrive. This political stunt could halt crucial funding for hurricane recovery, delay infrastructure projects, and cut off vital resources for our schools and hospitals.”

Louisiana is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a funding freeze:

• Disaster Recovery Jeopardized: Louisiana depends on federal disaster relief funds to rebuild after hurricanes and floods. A funding freeze could stall recovery efforts, leaving families and businesses stranded.
• Infrastructure Projects at Risk: Ongoing projects, including bridge repairs and coastal restoration, could face indefinite delays, harming local economies and public safety.
• Healthcare Funding Cuts: Medicaid, rural hospitals, and community health centers rely on federal dollars to serve Louisiana’s most vulnerable populations. A funding freeze could force clinics to close and limit access to essential care.
• Education and Public Services Threatened: Federal support for schools, meal programs, and teacher funding could be slashed, hurting Louisiana’s students and educators.

“This is not leadership — it’s deliberate destruction,” added Gaines. “Trump is playing politics with people’s lives, and Louisiana will suffer the consequences. He continues to make reckless, uninformed decisions with no regard for the damaging consequences. We urge our Republican leaders to stand up for their constituents and reject this dangerous move.”

A federal judge in the District of Columbia has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to freeze these funds. The judge has said she would render a more permanent decision on Monday, February 3.

The Louisiana Democratic Party calls on Congress — and our state leaders — to reject Trump’s reckless proposal and protect the funding that Louisiana families, businesses, and communities depend on.

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