Federal lobbyists warn of sweeping OMB review; urge local agencies and nonprofits to draw down grants before pause

Lynn Jacquez, the county's federal lobbyist, briefed the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on an Office of Management and Budget guidance expected to pause many federal grants and discretionary funding processes, saying the pause was a review step and not an immediate rescission of appropriations. "An executive order is an instruction and does not accomplish anything immediately until OMB and the other federal agencies move to follow the guidance," Jacquez said.

A CJ Lake consultant, Emily DeSulba, told the board a leaked OMB memo would take effect at 5 p.m. Eastern and could remain in place through about Feb. 10; she said key safety‑net programs including Medicaid, SNAP and rental assistance were not included in the first guidance and urged contractors and community‑based organizations to draw down existing funds where possible before the pause. "Right now, the pause is set to go into effect today at 5PM," DeSulba said.

Supervisors pressed the lobbyists on what the memo would mean for Alameda County budgets and services. The presenters said agencies have been ordered to report program details to OMB and that many program‑level determinations remain unsettled. Lynn Jacquez emphasized that implementation of executive orders typically requires follow‑on agency guidance and sometimes formal regulatory processes governed by the Administrative Procedure Act.

Members of the public — including nonprofit leaders and provider representatives — urged the board to rapidly assess potential county impacts and to stand up a public tracking process. John Lindsay Poland of the American Friends Service Committee asked the board to mandate an impact assessment of the funding suspension. Jane Garcia of La Clinica said the federal portal to access existing grants was not available, limiting organizations' ability to act immediately.

Board members agreed staff should inventory county programs that rely on federal funds and determine which grants and contractors could be affected. Supervisors also discussed short‑term options such as public‑private partnerships and foundations to backfill essential services if federal money is withheld. The county's federal lobbyists urged a measured advocacy response while preparing for rapid outreach.

The briefing closed with board members asking staff to compile a list of Alameda County projects that rely on federal appropriations so members can coordinate with congressional delegations and community partners. No formal county policy action was taken at the conclusion of the update; staff were asked to return with more detailed analyses.