President Trump’s budget office on Thursday froze $26 billion in formerly approved funding for Democratic-leaning states. This comes as the White House targets Democrats and their policies during the current US government shutdown. Programs frozen include an $18 billion transit project in New York. There's also a freeze on $8 billion for green energy projects in 16 states. Those states include California and Illinois. Both are led by Democratic governors and legislatures. Russell Vought is Trump’s budget director. He said on social media that the budget office would not fund the latter programs. He said they are “Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda.” Analysts said the budget office's moves target the other party’s policy goals. That’s even though the funding has already been approved by Congress in past yearly budgets. But Trump has many times promised to exact revenge on Democrats and others who oppose him or his goals. New York is home to Democrat Chuck Schumer. He's the Senate’s minority leader. New York is also home to Hakeem Jeffries. He's the House’s minority leader. Trump often rebukes both men. They have led efforts for Democrats in the Senate and House to vote against Republican (GOP) budget proposals that would end the shutdown. Democrats have opposed the GOP spending proposals. They seek to undo the GOP's funding cuts for Medicaid. It's a federal program. It provides healthcare to Americans with lower incomes. Democrats also want to preserve tax credits for people to use for healthcare needs. The tax credits will end soon. Trump also has said the shutdown would be used to lay off known Democrats working for the US government. He repeated those layoff threats after the shutdown went into effect Wednesday. Vought told House GOP members Thursday that a mass round of layoffs would come soon, The New York Times reported. Reflect: What would you want leaders to think about when deciding how to spend money that affects many people?
