Rhode Island FEMA Conditional Funding Challenge
State of Illinois et al v. Federal Emergency Management Agency et al
A pro-voting lawsuit challenging the Trump administration withholding FEMA funds from blue states as part of the president’s crusade to implement anti-voting measures before the midterms.
Background
Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to stop the Trump administration from denying Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to states that refuse to comply with the president’s anti-voting measures. Plaintiff states assert FEMA’s new conditions allow the agency to deny funding to states for emergencies and natural disasters if they do not run their voter rolls through the flawed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, transition to a paper-ballot system and conduct manual post-election audits. Plaintiffs argue the conditions unlawfully “require the States to change the ways in which they administer elections.” The lawsuit asserts the administration’s actions violate the constitution and the Administrative Procedures Act. Plaintiff states seek to block implementation of the new funding conditions.
Why It Matters
This is the third lawsuit brought by blue states challenging the Trump administration’s FEMA grant conditions meant to “coerce” states into complying with various administration policies. Despite two previous federal lawsuits blocking similar actions, “the Trump administration continues its wholly improper efforts to use federal public-safety funds as a means to push its political and policy priorities,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement.
Latest Updates
- July 23, 2026: Plaintiff states filed their complaint.