Democrats in the California Assembly put off a vote Thursday on two bills to shore up funds for the state to sue the Trump administration. Leaders attributed the delay to the confusion caused by President Trump’s now-rescinded funding freeze.
The two bills would set aside $50 million for lawsuits to challenge federal policies that conflict with California’s more progressive approaches related to topics like LGBTQ+ rights, the environment and immigration.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas blamed the delay on President Trump’s executive order calling for a freeze on a broad range of federal funding.
“The actions by Republicans in Washington this week jeopardize the programs and services Californians rely on most, from health care to school funding,” read the statement.
Republican Assembly leader James Gallagher from Yuba City said he hopes lawmakers ultimately drop the bills.
“I think this is a really good day in California that we're not taking up these measures,” he said. “Let's move on. Let’s focus on the real problems Californians are facing right now.”
Several Assembly Democrats declined to comment on the move, including bill author Jesse Gabriel from Los Angeles.
A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement that he plans to, “take action on these measures when they reach his desk.”
The Assembly could take the bills back up as soon as Monday.
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