NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
The start of President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a flurry of executive orders and challenges to his policies in courts. A federal judge ordered a temporary halt on a White House plan to pause funding for all federal grants and loans. The funding freeze was laid out in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget. The memo was later withdrawn in the face of lawsuits, but the White House has claimed many of its orders are still in effect.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What are some of the organizations affected by the proposed federal grant freeze?
- Why did the administration order the grant freeze, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt?
- How have Republicans and Democrats in Congress responded to the freeze?
- Who are some of the people that have sued to block the freeze?
- Why did a federal judge block the freeze?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Do you think presidents should have the power to freeze or ignore spending requirements issued by Congress? Why or why not?
Media literacy: How do you think the federal freeze might impact your community? Who could you talk to to find out?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
The White House has withdrawn the memo announcing the freeze in an attempt to end the lawsuits against it, but have also claimed that the freeze is still in effect. Watch the video below for more on the state of the order, and discuss — do you think presidents should have the power to control all federal agency spending? Why do you think the "power of the purse" has traditionally been seen as a responsibility of Congress? What do you think are some notable exceptions to the rule that Congress determines spending?
Teachers: You might also challenge your students to research local programs that depend on federal grants. How would the lives of your students be most impacted by a freeze?
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