Posted on 01/23/2026 6:05:09 AM PST by Twotone
A judge's ruling temporarily blocking President Donald Trump's order to end billions in social services funds could have met its match if Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has his way.
The president tried to end federal funds being sent to California, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado, but U.S. District Judge Arun Submaranian ruled against him on Jan. 9.
The group of states had requested a temporary restraining order against the spending freeze and was granted 14 days while the court considers a longer order.
On Wednesday, Massie said he had crafted an amendment to legislation that would allow the president to bypass the ruling.
"After rampant fraud was uncovered at daycare centers in Minnesota and elsewhere, a judge blocked President Trump's effort to put guardrails on those programs," the representative wrote on social media.
"I've offered this amendment to circumvent the judge's ruling and empower the President to withhold fraudulent funds," he added.
He posted the text of the amendment.
"None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to make payments under the Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or the Social Services Block Grant program to any State that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has identified, pursuant to existing law, as failing to comply with Federal eligibility or documentation requirements applicable to such program," the text reads.
HHS Sec. Robert Kennedy Jr. claimed that the states were not punished for being Democrat-controlled, but rather because they did not comply with the federal request to create a plan to stop fraud.
"The best way to help poor families is to end the fraud so that the money that is available for them. And that's what we're doing," Kennedy said. "If you won't show us a plan, a workable plan, we're gonna cut it off until you do."
The five states had argued in court that the order to end funds was unconstitutional because it could not be based on the "mere allegations or suspicion of fraud."
The temporary restraining order will end on Friday.
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All legislation needs to be crafted with the definite understanding that people with access to funds can and WILL defraud the system.
“”I’ve offered this amendment to circumvent the judge’s ruling and empower the President to withhold fraudulent funds,” he added.”
Although they often don’t act like it, Congress is the superior of the three branches. Nice to see an instance of them demonstrating that fact.
I agree, though they act like bozos.
You can tell it's an election year.
A lot of cities have nonproductive inhabitants being supported by Federal funds. Some of those being supported are illegally here or are criminals. I am in favor of withdrawal of Federal support for those people. Let the cities provide the support with their own money.
The President may impound up to $10 billion/year of appropriated funds at his pleasure.
“U.S. District Judge Arun Submaranian...”
There are SO MANY judges with Un-American names it seems...How has this happened??????
“inhabitants being supported by Federal funds”
When my mom was born in 1918, federal funds weren’t used for welfare.
The 1910 census says her immigrant parents took in boarders.
I had to read this several times to make sure I wasn’t having a brain issue. Did I miss a word? Am I really seeing Massie do something for Trump? Etc.
“There are SO MANY judges with Un-American names it seems...How has this happened??????”
There was this bill called Hart-Celler in 65’ that ‘The Lion of the Senate’ Ted Kennedy was bribed to push. Gives us 1.2 million new countrymen a year.
>
Although they often don’t act like it, Congress is the superior of the three branches. Nice to see an instance of them demonstrating that fact.
>
Whom is “they”. NOBODY outside Massie, and *maybe* a few others, demonstrate this fact.
Arun Submaranian = Yet another Dalit Thuggee
The term RINO (Republican In Name Only) refers to a person to the left of most Republicans, a person who is for more government.
Massie, Rand and Republican libertarians are to the right of Trump and most Republicans. They want less government, including (in some cases) less power for the President who is currently Trump.
“U.S. District Judge Arun Submaranian”
We need a constitutional amendment requiring all elected officials to be native citizens - born here, raised here. I’m so sick of seeing this country’s leadership turned over to foreigners with no deep seated loyalty to the USA and its culture.
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