Balwin tours UW opioid center amid funding freeze concerns
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- There's still a lot of questions and concerns related to the Trump administration's plan to halt federal grants and assistance.
The Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center (WOORC) opened its doors last fall after receiving a $2 million federal grant to help combat the fentanyl crisis.
On Monday, Senator Tammy Baldwin toured the facility -- a week after the Trump administration issued a blanket freeze on federal grants and loans.
The center, which focuses on finding solutions to the opioid epidemic by empowering pharmacists, could be in jeopardy of losing aid, Baldwin said.
"It's causing a lot of concern," Baldwin told reporters.
Two court orders have temporarily blocked the federal freeze despite the White House quickly rescinding a memo ordering the pause last week. Wisconsin is also involved in a multi-state lawsuit seeking to halt the pause.
However, the uncertainty of how the administration will proceed is causing anxiety at the WOORC and other grant recipients at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The opioid center is based out of the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy. Last week, university officials issued a hiring freeze on positions paid by federal aid in wake of actions by the Trump administration.
The White House attempt to pause federal grants and loans was aimed at reviewing payments to ensure they align with President Donald Trump's priorities in a series of executive orders including, but not limited to, "financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.”
Baldwin described the move as "unconstitutional" and an "illegal grab of power" as the funding freeze issue plays out in court.
Republicans have largely backed the administration's effort, including Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI-1st District).
"I do think it's appropriate to make sure that all federal government spending is reviewed and that we determine it's a good use of taxpayer dollars," Steil said.
Baldwin called on her GOP colleagues in Congress to push back against President Trump and criticized his first few weeks in office.
"I don't know what this transition is going to lead to, but it's looking more like a coup than a transition right now," Baldwin said.