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Q&A
Council questions OMB on potential federal funding cuts
0:57:12
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Council Member Justin Brannan questions OMB Director Jacques Jiha about the potential impact of federal funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Jiha explains that OMB has not conducted a specific assessment due to lack of concrete information, but they are monitoring the situation closely.
- OMB is waiting for specific guidance before making detailed plans
- The city would work with the state to respond to any major cuts, such as to Medicaid
- Jiha emphasizes the need for caution in preparing for hypothetical scenarios
Justin Brannan
0:57:12
Thank you, speaker Adams.
0:57:13
We've been joined as well by council members Menon, Hanks, Schulman, Ariola, and Joseph, as well as majority leader Brooks Powers.
0:57:25
Director, the Trump's administration, as the speaker mentioned, the Trump's administration's proposed budget includes deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance.
0:57:36
As we know, these are programs that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers rely on.
0:57:41
Has OMB conducted an assessment of of how many New Yorkers would stand to lose Medicaid, SNAP, or housing assistance if these these cruel cuts from Washington were to go through?
Jacques Jiha
0:57:53
We have not because we don't have anything concrete in front of us at this moment in time.
0:57:59
We know they have general control of the programs, but we don't have anything specific in terms of exactly what they're going to do.
0:58:05
It's hard to assume what what these guys are thinking.
0:58:09
So it would be a guess on our part.
0:58:11
And we don't want to panic folks for no reason unless we know for sure what's coming.
0:58:16
So we're waiting to see.
0:58:19
They have the blueprint, okay?
0:58:22
Have the continuing resolution blueprint.
0:58:23
We we we see it.
0:58:24
We know the general control of what they're trying to do, but we don't have any specific guidance.
Justin Brannan
0:58:29
So if we woke up tomorrow and there was a giant, you know, a giant cut made to Medicaid, what what would be the first thing OMB would do?
Jacques Jiha
0:58:38
It's mostly we would work with the state and to find out exactly what the state is doing.
Justin Brannan
0:58:46
And have you been talking to the state already in preparation?
Jacques Jiha
0:58:48
We're in conversation.
0:58:49
We're all in conversation.
0:58:50
We're all monitoring.
0:58:51
But, again, as said, the fact that you don't have specific guidance, it's hard to know exactly what is it that you're preparing yourself for.
0:58:58
We know there are things in the air.
0:59:00
Okay?
0:59:01
So we all know.
0:59:02
We're watching.
0:59:03
You know?
0:59:04
But we're waiting for guidance.
0:59:05
We're all waiting for guidance.
Justin Brannan
0:59:07
So can we count on the administration to take decisive legal and or budget action if these cuts were to come through?
Jacques Jiha
0:59:16
Again, as I said, we will monitor every situation to see exactly, you know, what's needed.
0:59:21
Our response would depend on every you know, I don't want to make a general blanket statement about anything, but we would basically evaluate every situation, every development, and make the appropriate recommendation to the mayor and to the city council.