Rep. Davis Leads Bill to Compel Trump Administration to Release All Relevant Records Related to Illegal Freezing of Child Care, Welfare, and Social Services Funds to IL, CA,[...]

Washington, DC: July 15, 2026, Representative Danny K. Davis introduced legislation to compel the Trump Administration to hand over all relevant records relating to the five-state freeze on the State-based Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funding. If adopted, the Resolution of Inquiry would require HHS to transmit to Congress information related to the freeze, including internal communications about the real cause of the freeze, the various contracts that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is violating in addition to the statutory provisions, and how the freeze is being implemented. Multiple Democratic Representatives from Illinois co-sponsored this important oversight legislation, including: Nikki Budzinski; Sean Casten; Bill Foster; Jonathan Jackson; Robin Kelly; Mike Quigley; Jan Schakowsky; Eric Sorensen; and Bradley Schneider.

In January 2026, the Trump Administration withheld $10 billion in federal funding - over $1 billion for Illinois alone - for essential services that support millions of Americans served by the CCDF, TANF, and SSBG in five states - California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. HHS has no statutory or constitutional authority to prevent states from accessing these funds. Importantly, in February 2026, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration from withholding the funds to the five states until the legality of the freeze is decided. This injunction was fundamental to preventing harm to children, families, the elderly, people with disabilities, community organizations, and businesses that will occur without the court's injunction. According to court documents filed this week, HHS conceded to reality and rescinded the freeze.

As the senior Democrat on the House Subcommittee with jurisdiction over child care, welfare, and social services funding, Rep. Davis and his Democratic colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee have repeatedly requested information about the freeze. HHS has refused to provide information about any legal basis for the freeze, evidence of the so-called "fraud" listed as the pre-text for halting funds, and other basic facts about the stopping of funds. The ROI directs HHS to transmit copies of any document, audit trail, record, audio recording, memorandum, call log, correspondence (electronic or otherwise), written agreements, report, study, contract, staffing assignment, legal analysis or other communication in their possession, or any portion of any of these items related to key elements of the freeze.

"Allowing the Administration to proceed without Congressional intervention sets a dangerous precedent of letting the Executive Branch ignore the laws Congress enacted governing guaranteed funding streams for all states," said Rep. Davis. "This legislation would compel the Trump Administration to give Congress all relevant information related to the freezing of child care, social service, and welfare funds for Illinois, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York. Given the Administration's recent $1.8 billion slush fund for President Trump and HHS's recent politization of vaccines and other health initiatives, now more than ever, it is essential that Congress plays an active role in oversight to ensure that the Trump Administration is operating appropriately without political motivation and that this abuse of power does not occur again."

A copy of the legislation is available HERE.