Democratic lawmakers have introduced the novel and untested approach in at least four states.

The novel and untested approach has been introduced by Democratic lawmakers in at least four states.

Democratic legislators mostly in blue states are attempting to fight back against Donald Trump’s efforts to withhold funding from their states with bills that aim to give the federal government a taste of its own medicine.

The novel and untested approach — so far introduced in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin — would essentially allow states to withhold federal payments if lawmakers determine the federal government is delinquent in funding owed to them. Democrats in Washington state said they are in the process of drafting a similar measure.

These bills still have a long way to go before becoming law, and legal experts said they would face obstacles. But they mark the latest efforts by Democrats at the state level to counter what they say is a massive overreach by the Trump administration to cease providing federal funding for an array of programs that have helped states pay for health care, food assistance and environmental protections.

  • Karrion409@lemmy.world
    36·
    18 hours ago

    I would be interested in seeing if this is actually a viable strategy for more wealthy states such as illinois and california because I’m getting tired of the borderline suicidal “they go low, we go high” rhetoric. I know theres things in place to make sure it can’t be done but the current admin isn’t playing by the rules and we can’t win if we keep trying to follow them. We need to start playing hardball with these clowns.