WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s freeze on billions in congressionally approved infrastructure and environmental funding for communities across the nation. The court’s ruling, which secures the largest release of this critical funding to date, will allow vital community projects across the country to resume without further delay.

Democracy Forward represents Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, National Council of Nonprofits, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, Childhood Lead Action Project, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Green Infrastructure Center in this case. The plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction last month asking the court to immediately lift the Trump administration’s unlawful freeze on billions in congressionally approved funds under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Congress passed these laws to support infrastructure improvements, climate initiatives, and public health protections.

“We are pleased that a federal court has seen the Trump administration’s freeze of congressionally approved funds for what it is: another abuse of executive power that has already inflicted harm on communities nationwide,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “By blocking these investments in local communities and projects, the administration is jeopardizing public health initiatives, environmental protections, and economic stability. Today’s ruling marks a crucial victory for the rule of law and ensures these vital resources will flow to the people and projects Congress intended to support.”

President Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order directed federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, the Interior, and Housing and Urban Development, to halt the distribution of funds appropriated under the IRA and BIL.

This motion was filed as part of the lawsuit brought on March 13, 2025, by Democracy Forward and co-counsel DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, challenging the administration’s unlawful suspension of funding, arguing that the freeze violates the Administrative Procedure Act, disrupting vital community-led projects, putting jobs, public health initiatives, and climate resilience efforts in jeopardy.

The lawsuit can be found here, the amended complaint can be found here, and the preliminary injunction motion can be found here.

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.