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Alan Raul Joins Brief Opposing Unlawful Freeze on Federal Funds

July 30, 2025

Board Member Alan Raul joined other former senior executive branch officials in filing an amicus brief urging the First Circuit to uphold a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze congressionally appropriated funds.

The brief argues that the administration’s directive — issued by the Office of Management and Budget — was a radical and unlawful effort to sidestep Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending.

They write:

“OMB has never claimed the power to unilaterally block appropriated funds because they don’t align with a President’s policies. The Directive is an extraordinary command to ignore Congress.”

Read the full brief.