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New Lawsuit Filed re: Federal Funding Freeze

Amanda Karras

Thu, Mar 20, 2025 1:23 PM

Good morning -

I wanted to alert you to a lawsuit filed yesterday by a group of nonprofits and six cities (Baltimore, Columbus, Madison, Nashville, New Haven, and San Diego), that challenges the federal government's withholding of grant funds under the IRA and IIJA. The lawsuit challenges the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, the "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI" executive order, the several executive orders implementing the DOGE initiatives, as well as other program freezing actions. The lawsuit claims these actions are unlawful in violation of: 1) the separation of powers, 2) the presentment clauses, 3) and the APA. The complaint also argues that the program freezing actions exceed statutory authority and violate the First Amendment. And finally, the complaint argues that the executive orders in question and the freezing actions violate the terms of the statutes (IRA and IIJA). The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

Thanks,
Amanda

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Amanda Karras (she/her)
Executive Director / General Counsel
International Municipal Lawyers Association
P: (202) 466-5424 x7116
D: (202) 742-1018
51 Monroe St. Suite 404 Rockville, MD, 20850
Plan Ahead! See IMLA's upcoming eventshttps://imla.org/events/, calls and programming.

Good morning - I wanted to alert you to a lawsuit filed yesterday by a group of nonprofits and six cities (Baltimore, Columbus, Madison, Nashville, New Haven, and San Diego), that challenges the federal government's withholding of grant funds under the IRA and IIJA. The lawsuit challenges the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, the "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI" executive order, the several executive orders implementing the DOGE initiatives, as well as other program freezing actions. The lawsuit claims these actions are unlawful in violation of: 1) the separation of powers, 2) the presentment clauses, 3) and the APA. The complaint also argues that the program freezing actions exceed statutory authority and violate the First Amendment. And finally, the complaint argues that the executive orders in question and the freezing actions violate the terms of the statutes (IRA and IIJA). The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Thanks, Amanda [logo]<https://imla.org/> [facebook icon]<https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMunicipalLawyersAssociation/>[twitter icon]<https://twitter.com/imlalegal>[linkedin icon]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-municipal-lawyers-association-inc./> Amanda Karras (she/her) Executive Director / General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association P: (202) 466-5424 x7116 D: (202) 742-1018 51 Monroe St. Suite 404 Rockville, MD, 20850 Plan Ahead! See IMLA's upcoming events<https://imla.org/events/>, calls and programming.

Amanda Karras

Mon, Mar 31, 2025 10:51 PM

Good afternoon:

I am attaching the memorandum in support of the city's motion for a PI in the city / non-profit litigation referenced below. The motion seeks to enjoin the defendants from 1) any actions that continue to freeze or result in the termination of grants under various programs; and 2) impeding or blocking their access to funds awarded under the programs (among other relief).

Thanks,

Amanda

[logo]https://imla.org/

From: Amanda Karras
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2025 9:24 AM
Subject: New Lawsuit Filed re: Federal Funding Freeze

Good morning -

Thanks,
Amanda

[logo]https://imla.org/

Good afternoon: I am attaching the memorandum in support of the city's motion for a PI in the city / non-profit litigation referenced below. The motion seeks to enjoin the defendants from 1) any actions that continue to freeze or result in the termination of grants under various programs; and 2) impeding or blocking their access to funds awarded under the programs (among other relief). Thanks, Amanda [logo]<https://imla.org/> [facebook icon]<https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMunicipalLawyersAssociation/>[twitter icon]<https://twitter.com/imlalegal>[linkedin icon]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-municipal-lawyers-association-inc./> Amanda Karras (she/her) Executive Director / General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association P: (202) 466-5424 x7116 D: (202) 742-1018 51 Monroe St. Suite 404 Rockville, MD, 20850 Plan Ahead! See IMLA's upcoming events<https://imla.org/events/>, calls and programming. From: Amanda Karras Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2025 9:24 AM Subject: New Lawsuit Filed re: Federal Funding Freeze Good morning - I wanted to alert you to a lawsuit filed yesterday by a group of nonprofits and six cities (Baltimore, Columbus, Madison, Nashville, New Haven, and San Diego), that challenges the federal government's withholding of grant funds under the IRA and IIJA. The lawsuit challenges the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, the "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI" executive order, the several executive orders implementing the DOGE initiatives, as well as other program freezing actions. The lawsuit claims these actions are unlawful in violation of: 1) the separation of powers, 2) the presentment clauses, 3) and the APA. The complaint also argues that the program freezing actions exceed statutory authority and violate the First Amendment. And finally, the complaint argues that the executive orders in question and the freezing actions violate the terms of the statutes (IRA and IIJA). The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Thanks, Amanda [logo]<https://imla.org/> [facebook icon]<https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMunicipalLawyersAssociation/>[twitter icon]<https://twitter.com/imlalegal>[linkedin icon]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-municipal-lawyers-association-inc./> Amanda Karras (she/her) Executive Director / General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association P: (202) 466-5424 x7116 D: (202) 742-1018 51 Monroe St. Suite 404 Rockville, MD, 20850 Plan Ahead! See IMLA's upcoming events<https://imla.org/events/>, calls and programming.