Third Way Statement on Energy Impacts of Trump Funding Freeze

WASHINGTON—On Monday, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued guidance to implement President Trump’s executive order freezing spending on public loans, grants, and aid. Though OMB’s guidance has been rescinded, Trump’s executive order remains in effect, putting an indefinite pause on funds for private firms, public universities, and non-profits. Businesses that were set to receive DOE support to open new factories, retrain workers, and improve infrastructure throughout our communities remain in limbo, with no end in sight. 

Third Way Senior Director of Domestic Policy Ryan Fitzpatrick issued the following statement: 

“Trump’s White House has spent the week creating chaos in the energy sector. The Administration’s freeze on government funding was irresponsible to begin with, and their half-hearted attempts to walk back OMB’s guidance have only created more confusion. Rescinding this memo does not mean funding is restored. 

“Congressionally mandated programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriations are still frozen until every single dollar can be reviewed. If that sounds insanely inefficient, that's because it is. That process could take months. 

“We're talking about thousands of contracts and hundreds of thousands of jobs delayed and possibly canceled. Deals between the federal government and private companies that were thought to be signed and sealed are made meaningless by this decision. 

“How can private sector firms continue to do business, innovate, and compete in America when they can’t trust the word of the federal government?”