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This pause is unprecedented and has not been a part of prior Presidential transitions. “They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement on Monday. “Donald Trump must direct his Administration reverse course immediately and the taxpayers’ money should be distributed to the people.”
Cornell is particularly vulnerable because it receives $636.5 million per year in federal research grants.
On Tuesday morning, Cornell’s Vice President for Research and Innovation posted a message on its website.
“The Trump Administration has begun implementing its policy priorities this week, issuing Executive Orders (EO) and initiating internal reviews across several federal agencies. Federal agencies have responded with temporary pauses, providing time to interpret Congressional authorizations, streamline operations, and align with the incoming Administration’s priorities.”
“Cornell Research & Innovation is actively monitoring these developments and is working closely with university leadership to ensure compliance with any immediate changes that may impact Cornell. Our teams are collaborating with our professional associations to understand and track the implications of these directives as well.”
So, Cornell faces two dangers. First, the stream of revenues from existing grants will be delayed or interrupted, with Cornell expected to cover salaries in the meantime. Second, when grants are restarted, their terms and conditions could be dramatically modified. It is possible that Cornell will be required to adopt new policies before payments can resume or before new grant applications will be accepted.
According to CNBC, a number of groups filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Washington DC to block this OMB freese. The suit was filed by the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, the Main Street Alliance and the New York-based group SAGE. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced her own lawsuit challenging the freeze.
UPDATE:
A federal judge in the District of Columbia has temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order to pause federal grants and loans.
