Deborah Archer President at American Civil Liberties Union | Official website
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with over 160 organizations, has sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and other members of the House of Representatives. The letter urges them to reject H.R. 32, a bill that the groups believe should be called the Defund Our Communities Act. According to these organizations, this legislation would cut essential funding for hundreds of communities in 32 states because local officials refuse to allocate resources for former President Trump's deportation and detention agenda.
The appeal comes amid concerns that communities are still recovering from attempts by the Trump administration to freeze federal funding for vital services. If enacted, H.R. 32 could jeopardize the jobs of thousands of state and local employees such as social workers, police officers, teachers, bus drivers, nurses, and mental health counselors who rely on this funding.
NEA President Becky Pringle emphasized the potential impact on education: “Most of us believe every student deserves the opportunity, resources, and support to reach their full potential no matter where they live... As educators, we have accepted the sacred responsibility to protect students — regardless of their immigration status — and to protect families, schools, and communities.” She warned that the act would severely affect vulnerable students by cutting funding for crucial services like school meal programs.
The letter from advocates argues that H.R. 32 undermines constitutional principles by escalating federal pressure on state and local governments while infringing upon Congress' financial authority. It states: “Congress should not pass legislation handing the Trump administration vast and vaguely worded authority it may use to further intimidate... Nor should Congress... concede its ‘power of the purse’.”
The signatories include labor unions, education associations, healthcare groups, civil liberties organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association (NEA), SEIU, League of Women Voters, NAACP, Planned Parenthood, MoveOn among others.
Deirdre Schifeling from ACLU highlighted constitutional concerns: “The Defund Our Communities Act is a gross violation of the Constitutional balance of powers that our democracy depends on,” adding that giving such authority would set a dangerous precedent.
For more information or to read the full letter sent by these organizations visit [ACLU's website](https://www.aclu.org/documents/advocates-letter-to-house-of-representatives-re-hr-32).
