A Massachusetts federal judge has ruled against the Trump Administration in a case concerning their plan to end billions of dollars in funding for a federal disaster mitigation program, prompting applause from Maine’s attorney general.
Known as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), this program was designed to help localities prepare for potentially hazardous weather conditions by preemptively expanding their “capability and capacity.”
After arguing that the program was “wasteful and ineffective,” the Administration moved to halt billions in funding that had been awarded but not yet paid, as well as decline to award millions in funding next year, according to the Associated Press.
Twenty states, including Maine, sued the Trump Administration over its attempt to end this program, arguing that the move was unlawful.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told the Associated Press Thursday that DHS “has not terminated BRIC,” but did not provide any further details regarding the program’s status at this time.
“The Biden Administration abandoned true mitigation and used BRIC as a green new deal slush fund,” the spokesperson saiod. “It’s unfortunate that an activist judge either didn’t understand that or didn’t care.”
Funding for BRIC was first provided by Congress during the first Trump Administration before launching under President Joe Biden (D).
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated an additional $1 billion to the program over the course of five years, of which roughly $133 million had been distributed as of April.
According to the court, the Trump Administration’s effort to prevent this money from being distributed represents a violation of Congress’ will to fund the program and there is an “inherent public interest in ensuring that the government follows the law.”
“The BRIC program is designed to protect against natural disasters and save lives,” Judge Richard G. Stearns wrote in the court order.
The New York Times reported that Natural Resources Defense Council senior attorney Joel Scata said that the court’s order does not appear to compel the federal government to actually issue any grants through the program. Rather, it prevents the Trump Administration from terminating the program and repurposing its budget.
“In Maine, we know we will see ice storms, floods, and nor’easters. This win means that our communities will be able to continue preparing for natural disasters instead of just reacting to them,” said Attorney General Frey in a written statement Thursday.
“It is obvious that the work to prepare for extreme weather events is essential for a safe and healthy state,” he said. “We were not going to look the other way while the Administration deprives us of the ability to prepare.”
Click Here to Read Attorney General Frey’s Full Statement
Also involved in this lawsuit are the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
