Summit County’s state Rep. Julie McCluskie is bashing the White House, after President Donald Trump froze $300 million in federal funding for childcare and social services.
McCluskie and five other state Democrats today released a joint statement asking their Republican colleagues to “put politics aside” as they struggle to fund Colorado’s safety-net programs. They call the freeze “lawless” and demand that lawmakers put families first.
“The Trump Administration’s callous decision to freeze more than $300 million will only make life more expensive for hardworking families,” the statement reads. “Gutting programs that equip tens of thousands of Coloradans with resources to provide and afford childcare is a direct attack on working families.”
Most heavily affected by this freeze is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, known locally as Colorado Works, which helps low-income residents afford food, childcare and other necessities.
In their statement, McCluskie and colleagues say these federally supported programs “strengthen Colorado’s economy and create strong pathways for workers to earn more and thrive.”
The Trump administration claims some of this money was illegally distributed to non-citizens. Reporting by Colorado Public Radio says the Feds have not given examples.
Also impacted by this funding freeze are California, Illinois, Minnesota and New York.
