Latimer and Mayer Vow to Fight Executive Order to Pause Federal Funds

Newly elected Congressman George Latimer’s arrival in Washington has coincided with a crisis in government that threatens the well-being of the country and his constituents. In his first week in office, President Trump signed an executive order to pause payments of federal funds, jeopardizing Medicaid funding to the states, funding to non-profits, hospitals, meals on wheels and school lunches just to name a few of the programs that are affected.

We spoke to Latimer on the evening of January 28, 2025 when he expressed his determination to fight these efforts using whatever means are available. Latimer said, “The illegal action to halt funding that was legally approved by the Federal government is an attempt to impose an ideology on America. The pain and suffering will cause great hardship, raise prices, increase homelessness, hurt veterans, jeopardize education, and more. It’s indefensible.” He added, “The President does not have the power to freeze these payments. It is without just cause.”

Though Latimer acknowledges that Democrats are in the minority in Congress, he is determined to fight these orders with whatever tools are available.

Latimer reported that NY Attorney General Tish James had filed a lawsuit to challenge the order which was joined by additional states. On Tuesday, a federal judge enjoined the spending freeze until Monday February 3, 2025. Latimer was sworn in on January 26, 2025 in Rye.

On Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship, Latimer said, “Trump’s order is clearly illegal. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed in the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

What to do? Latimer said, “I am not sitting here and saying woe is me. We are drawing public attention to the actions. We think that even pausing benefits and programs can interrupt and possibly stop these programs.”

Why is Trump taking such dramatic actions? Latimer explained, “Trump is intending to use this as leverage to get his deportation policy through – for those who won’t help him do his dirty work – he will force this by withholding their Medicaid money. He wants 12 million people to be deported.”

He added, “None of this is a surprise to me. People have seen him in New York for years and know his tactics.” Latimer said, “The only office in government Trump has held is President. He is a critic of government and want to deconstruct it.”

What can citizens do? Latimer urged residents to speak up. He said, “Trump is not impervious to public pressure. When enough people who are on his side hear concerns the pressure will come back on him. If you disagree, let people know. Use your voice.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer also expressed concern about the pause. On Tuesday January 28, 2025 she said , “I’m deeply disturbed by President Trump’s unauthorized ‘pause’ of appropriated federal funds. It is already causing distress, confusion, and havoc in New York State, as payments that flow through to New York institutions are impacted. So far we have heard that online systems through which Medicaid payments are received by New York State were blocked and that non-profits reimbursed through federal funds are at great risk of non-payment for services they provide. These include hospitals, Head Start programs, veterans’ programs and more – services New Yorkers depend on, and our Congressmembers and Senators fought for and were enacted into law.

“Credit to New York Attorney General Tish James and other state Attorneys General, who promptly filed suit challenging this order. It appears a federal judge briefly delayed the President’s order. We cannot stay silent in the face of such action by the President; I appeal to my Republican Federal colleagues to use every tool at their disposal to stop this effort.

“It’s unacceptable and cannot stand.”