The pause begins an across-the-board review of how the government is spending taxpayers' money.
"The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve," said a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Many GOP senators emphasized that the freeze was so far temporary and that they were trying to find out more about how far it would reach. Others said it was the right move.
“It makes sense to me,” said Sen. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana.
Leavitt said beneficiaries of programs like Social Security and Medicare would not be affected, she did not say Medicaid wouldn’t be affected.
The White House subsequently said Medicaid wouldn’t be affected.
