“The federal funding freeze requiring agencies to review and assess financial assistance programs is one of many steps toward ensuring fiscal accountability. Families across the nation carefully manage their household budgets and successful small businesses do the same. It would be malpractice not to have oversight of our spending, just as the New York State Comptroller’s Office conducts routine audits of local municipalities to ensure resources are used responsibly under a sustainable fiscal plan. This measure introduces a level of accountability at the federal level that has not been seen before,” said Simpson.

“As we all pause to consider the implications of this order on day one, I am hopeful this correction will be done in a timely manner. I am confident the administration will see the value many federal programs have on our communities and the exceptional return they deliver for the North Country on a regular basis,” Simpson concluded.