The judge prohibits the transformation of the disaster box during the Trump era

On Tuesday, a federal judge prevented the Trump administration from re -allocating $ 4 billion to help societies protect from natural disasters.

The American boycott judge granted Richard J. Sterez in Boston is a preliminary order by 20 states led by Democrats while a lawsuit has moved forward.

The states argue that the Federal Emergency Management Agency lacks the power to end the infrastructure program and the flexible societies of the building and redirect more than $ 4 billion in its financing. The program aims to harden the infrastructure throughout the country against the possible damage to storms.

Fema initially announced that it would finish the program, but later said in the court file that she was establishing it.

“Although the government is equivalent to whether it has actually ended the BRIC program, the state’s evidence for steps taken by the Fema to implement the announced termination station, the conclusion that there was a decision that a decision was made and that Fema is heading towards an explanation,” Sterins wrote in its rule. “The agency has canceled new financing opportunities and interest owners who have been informed that they no longer expected to obtain any unavailable money.”

Noting the funds for the program were allocated by Congress, a lawsuit says to the states that any attempt to redirect it will present the constitution.

Government lawyer, Nicole Okonor, has argued in a hearing in July that money can be used to recover from disasters and prevent disaster and that Fema must have a discretionary authority to use the money it deems appropriate.

The program provided grants to a group of disaster management projects, including strengthening electrical networks, building dams to protect floods and transport weak water treatment facilities. Many projects In rural societies.

Fema said in a Press statement in April The “ending” of the program, but the agency’s acting head, David Richardson, later said in the court file that FEMA was just evaluating whether it was finished or retracted.

The states, including California, New York and Washington, argue that the threat of loss of financing alone exposes many projects to the risk of cancellation, delay or reduce their size. They warn against ending the program will be a very lively matter.

“By immunizing our societies proactively against disasters before they hit, instead of responding after that, we will reduce injuries, save lives, protect property, and eventually save money that can be spent on post -disaster costs,” they wrote in the lawsuit filed in July.

Fema said in the court, which provides a judicial warrant for its use of funds that could hinder its ability to respond to major disasters.