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Welcome to The Logoff. At the moment’s version is about Donald Trump’s try to freeze an enormous portion of federal spending, a transfer that has implications for tens of millions of Individuals who rely upon authorities applications and for the long-term steadiness of energy.
What funds is Trump attempting to freeze? Up to now, there’s mass confusion. The order seems, broadly, to freeze grant funding that goes out to organizations, however not funds to people. Medicare and Social Safety aren’t affected, however no one appears clear on what’s taking place to Medicaid (although the most recent considering is that it’s secure), and interpretations battle on different applications, like meals stamps.
When does this go into impact? It was set to enter impact at 5 pm in the present day, however a federal choose simply issued a brief halt on the spending freeze whereas judges overview it. So for now, we’re in limbo.
How lengthy is the pause meant to final? Companies have till February 10 to overview the spending to see if it aligns with Trump’s priorities. What occurs after that’s unclear.
Is that this a giant deal? Extraordinarily. We’re speaking about billions of {dollars} and applications that present day-to-day help for individuals in want.
Is that this regular? In no way. Presidents often pause sure grant funding for overview, however two issues make this distinctive: the scope of the freeze, which works means, means past what Trump’s predecessors have achieved, and the truth that Trump has threatened to cancel some spending fully.
Is that this authorized? Buckle up. There’s disagreement over whether or not even pausing this spending is authorized, and that’s already being challenged in court docket. However the huge query is what occurs if Trump follows by way of on his promise to totally cancel some spending that Congress has licensed. That transfer — often called “impoundment” — is unlawful underneath US regulation. However Trump’s group says that regulation is unconstitutional, and the battle appears more likely to go all the way in which to the Supreme Courtroom.
And if the Supreme Courtroom have been to aspect with Trump, it might hand a lot of Congress’s management of spending over to the president — an enormous rebalancing of energy inside the federal authorities.
And with that, it’s time to sign off …
I used to be intrigued by this story about what seems to be a piece of the moon that broke off eons in the past and is now by itself orbital journey. It’s a pleasant reminder that the universe is stuffed with mysteries. I’ll see you again right here tomorrow.
