AFT’s Weingarten on Trump’s Rescission and Unrescission of Memo Freezing Vital Federal Aid

WASHINGTON–AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after the Trump administration rescinded and then un-rescinded via Twitter its pause on funding for vital federal programs that protect the American people:

“The total chaos and confusion of the last 36 hours is not the way that the American government should work. We were about to hail President Trump’s rescission of his freeze on federal aid; now we have no idea what’s happening.

“No one voted for this. These unlawful actions were unprecedented in their cruelty and recklessness, threatening vital aid and support for America’s working families, the very people Trump promised to help.

“Americans need a federal government that works for them, not for the billionaires who sat grinning from the front row at Trump’s inauguration.

“Regardless of whether we have a Republican or Democratic administration, politicians and the president should not be causing millions of working people unnecessary confusion and pain.

“I’m pleading with President Trump: Stop the confusion and restore the federal funds that have been approved by Congress so American families can get on with their lives, without having to worry about whether they can access child care today or a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”