BISHOP, DELAURO: TRUMP AND MUSK STEAL FUNDING FOR RURAL ENERGY

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee sent a letter demanding answers to the halting of all funds for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and provided a table showing the funds stolen from constituents by Member District. 

This blanket freeze of funding has resulted in wide-ranging harmful effects on Americans across the country. Last Monday, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a new court order for the Trump Administration to “immediately end any federal funding pause” and that the funding freeze is “likely unconstitutional and has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to a vast portion of the country.”

The REAP program is one such example of this irreparable harm. REAP provides loans and grants in rural areas which can be used for a variety of energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy development. Halting this program is hampering efforts to lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers across the country. President Trump has repeatedly promised to halve electricity costs. Yet, the administration has hampered a crucial program for achieving this goal in rural America.

The Administration has held up funding appropriated for this program, including funds that had already been legally committed to recipients. The administration has held up over $1 billion in IRA-provided REAP funds, including over $600 million that was already promised to more than 3,500 rural small businesses. 

In the letter the Members stated, “The administration’s move to freeze REAP funds has caused chaos that will harm Americans across the country. The REAP program provides essential assistance for farmers and small businesses in rural America to lower their energy costs, and this freeze leaves rural communities in limbo. For example, $46 million has been withheld from recipients in the 15 congressional districts represented by members of the subcommittee, leaving 267 recipients with no guidance from USDA on how to proceed with their projects. As we lay out in the enclosed table of REAP awards withheld by congressional district, the administration’s lawless endeavor to steal lawfully appropriated funds impacts thousands of ours and our colleagues’ constituents from across the country, both Democratic and Republican.”

“We applaud last Monday’s court order which affirmed – yet again – that this funding freeze must end. USDA must comply with the law and the courts and release REAP funding, along with other appropriated funds being withheld from the American people. We further remind you that the Department is required by law to report violations of the Impoundment Control Act to Congress.”

We will continue to fight for lower energy costs for all Americans. Congress and the Courts are co-equal branches of government with the Executive, and this court order reaffirms that USDA must cease its stealing of money from the American people.

You can view the full letter here.

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