Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order on OMB Freeze

On Tuesday, February 4, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary restraining order of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) freeze on federal grant disbursements that has put essential services across the nation in jeopardy, in response to a suit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the National Council of Nonprofits, the American Public Health Association, Main Street Alliance, and SAGE.

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to dismiss the temporary restraining order was denied.

Additionally, OMB is enjoined from implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the directive to halt federal spending broadly. OMB must provide notice to all federal agencies, and instruct all such agencies to release any funding that was paused under the directive.

“Nonprofits across the country have been left in limbo by the Trump administration’s callous actions. Now, they finally have some needed clarity and can continue to do their essential work,” said Diane Yentel, chief executive of the National Council of Nonprofits.

Next steps in this legal battle: Attorneys with Democracy Forward must work with DOJ attorneys and jointly propose – by February 7 – a briefing schedule for the court to consider a preliminary injunction.

The fight is not over. We want to hear from you.

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