NH congressional delegation meets with organizations worried about possible federal funds freeze

MANCHESTER, N.H. —Several Granite State organizations met with New Hampshire's congressional delegation late Thursday afternoon to discuss what would happen if there was a freeze on federal grants and loans.

The issue took off earlier this week after a memo was filed by the Trump administration to freeze grants and loans.

The memo has since been rescinded, but White House officials said they were still working to limit the money through executive orders.

Members of the organizations that said they provide critical resources to many underserved communities across the state said the memo led to a week of panic, confusion, and disruption for their workers and clients.

Betsey Andrews Parker at the Strafford County Community Action Partnership expressed uncertainty about her organization’s ability to live up to its name.

The agency, which provides access to basic needs like food, housing and electricity for about 19,000 people, heavily relies on federal funding.

"We are really questioning whether or not we're going to be able to be the community action that we are, right now," Parker said.

The Stafford County Community Action Partnership is among several local groups that explained the potential disruptions from the freeze.

"We have about 19 days cash on hand. That would get us through one payroll," said Kris McCracken with Amoskeag Health.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with U.S. Reps. Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas, each laid out what they called the real and serious impacts the spending freeze would have on daily life in New Hampshire.

They spoke about the potential hit to schools, public safety and small businesses across the state. They said community centers would be unable to support veterans and special education programs as they do now.

William Belecz, of Harbor Care, said conversations are happening now about the possibility of having to make very difficult decisions within the organization. He said the group has more than 5,000 clients and provides health care, substance use treatment, mental health services, pharmaceutical care and more.

"We're hearing from our clients, 'Am I going to be able to get my medications?' 'Am I going to be evicted?' 'Am I going to be deported?'" Belecz said. "In addition to our clients and patients, we also have to think of our employees. We employ over 250 Granite Staters."

President Donald Trump and White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said programs such as Social Security and Medicare would not be affected by a freeze. But officials from organizations including the Manchester School District and first responder groups told the delegation that without federal funds, they cannot fully serve.

"We have some of our funds tied to infrastructure, school safety, student support for after school," said Manchester School District Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel.

"New Hampshire's public safety is directly tied to these grants. Which are essential to hire personnel to safely staff fire apparatus," said Brian Ryll with Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire.