Attorney General Kris Mayes, alongside a coalition of attorneys general, has filed motions to enforce and for a preliminary injunction in the case NY v. Trump. This legal action challenges the Trump Administration's efforts to halt nearly $3 trillion in federal assistance funding allocated to states. These funds are intended to support essential programs and services nationwide.
The coalition seeks to block the Trump Administration's attempt to freeze these funds, arguing that such actions cause significant harm to states reliant on federal assistance for public services. Attorney General Mayes stated, "This funding is owed by law to the people of Arizona. Trump can try every trick he has up his sleeve to evade the constitution but I will be there to stop him."
The motion highlights ongoing disruptions affecting state disbursements and notes that federal funds remain blocked under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), despite a court-issued Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). The coalition aims to enforce this TRO, compelling the Trump Administration to release these funds.
The withheld funds under IRA and IIJA are crucial for strengthening domestic energy security, reducing costs, diversifying resources, rebuilding manufacturing economies, modernizing infrastructure, creating jobs, and reducing pollution.
Without access to these federal funds, many states could face immediate financial shortfalls impacting basic programs like healthcare and child nutrition. In Arizona alone:
- The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program supports numerous initiatives and law enforcement officers.
- Over 460,000 households depend on SNAP benefits.
- Nearly 1 million children rely on federally provided school meals.
- HeadStart serves over 15,000 children from low-income families.
- Section 8 housing support aids tens of thousands of households.
- LIHEAP assists nearly 630,000 families with utility bills.
- Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics may close without funding.
- Over 2 million Arizonans risk losing Medicaid coverage.
Due to continued disruptions despite the TRO, efforts in clean energy investments, transportation infrastructure, healthcare access among others are at risk. The attorneys general have filed motions ensuring swift fund dispersal for state use in protecting residents' health and safety.
Attorney General Mayes joins her counterparts from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota New York Nevada North Carolina New Jersey New Mexico Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin in filing these motions.
Court filings related to this case are available below.