A $20 million grant intended for workforce development, energy efficiency, and community resiliency in Benton Harbor has been rescinded by the federal government. The funds awarded to the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission on behalf of the city last year also would have been used to renovate the Bobo Brazil Community Center.

The city learned last week the Trump administration has axed the grant, which had been in limbo since a federal grant freeze was announced last month.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Congressional Democrats last week released a list of environmental grants around the country that have been killed, and the Benton Harbor grant is on it.

Mayor Marcus Muhammad has released a statement, saying “Congressionally approved spending and or Appropriation Acts must be released without stipulations. The United States Constitution grants the Legislative Branch the power of the purse.” Muhammad calls President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze unconstitutional. He concludes, “The Inflation Reduction Act was appropriated by Congress.” Muhammad says, “All funds must be released without stipulations or delay.”

Muhammad’s full statement is below:

“Congressionally approved spending and or Appropriation Acts must be released without stipulations. The United States Constitution grants the Legislative Branch the power of the purse. Our first act as an elected official is to swear or affirm to uphold the United States Constitution. The federal funding freeze is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the checks and balances imposed by the Founding Fathers. The Inflation Reduction Act was appropriated by Congress. All funds must be released without stipulations or delay.”