Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Advocates warn OMB funding pause threatens services for trafficking survivors
Loading...
Summary
Witnesses and members told the subcommittee that an Office of Management and Budget memo pausing federal grants caused immediate layoffs, halted client intake and imperiled services for trafficking victims, leaving shelters and legal representation at risk.
Committee members and witnesses described immediate, practical harms after an Office of Management and Budget memo temporarily paused federal grants, loans and disbursements.
Ranking Member Rep. Lucy McBath drew attention to the memo dated Jan. 27, 2025 and asked witnesses about its effects. Jean Bruggeman, executive director of Freedom Network USA, said the ‘‘response to the memo was, widespread fear, confusion, frustration’’ and added that many programs operate on reimbursement grants that could not pay staff while funding was paused.
Why it matters: Witnesses said sudden funding interruptions forced some organizations to lay off staff, stop accepting new clients, and suspend services that survivors rely on, including housing, legal assistance and case management. Bruggeman told the committee these services ‘‘were immediately in great peril.’’
Practical effects: Witnesses described agencies pausing hiring and stopping client intake; some international programs funded by USAID and State were temporarily canceled, which advocates said also disrupted survivor consultants and international anti-trafficking work. Members warned that interruptions reduce survivors’ ability to escape trafficking and cooperate with prosecutions.
Policy questions: Members pressed whether the administration’s actions were temporary and how to prevent future abrupt interruptions. Witnesses urged predictable and sustained funding, and several members called for restoration of held grants.
Ending: Committee members and witnesses asked for quick restoration of funding and for Congress to consider measures that insulate critical survivor services from sudden administrative pauses.
