U.S., Iowa face a moment of truth

Shockwaves from President Donald Trump’s rapid-fire executive orders have reached Iowa. Keeping track of his orders, and the exploits of Elon Musk and his band of young tech bros, It’s like drinking from a fire hose. Overwhelming.

We understand voters elected Trump to make big changes in the federal government. Our current scenarios see a major risk to our constitutional checks and balances.

Functions and appropriations approved by Congress can only be changed by Congress. Instead, Trump and his helpers are attempting to rule mostly through executive edicts. Those who lead the House and Senate don’t seem to mind Trump’s efforts to push Congress, illegally, to the sidelines.

Americans know precious little about what’s really happening. That’s by design. It’s spawned confusion and fear among people and agencies that depend on federal funding to do their jobs.

Take medical research at the University of Iowa. When Trump was sworn into office, he issued an executive order targeting the National Institutes of Health, NIH. UI receives funding for thousands of clinical trials and research on health issues. NIH grants to UI exceed $33 million.

The order prompted the university to pause or slow research grant applications, hiring and general spending. Then Trump rescinded the order, and a federal judge issued a restraining order against the administration.

Good news, but no return to research as usual.

But there will be cuts in “indirect” research funding, which pays for labs, high speed data processing, support personnel and other needs. It’s forced UI to pause new NIH applications, freeze graduate assistant hiring and slow general spending.

It will mean less medical research.

“Researchers and departments should exert extra caution and defer starting new activities until we have more clarity,” UI Interim Vice President for Research Lois Geist wrote.

Meanwhile, in Cedar Rapids and other cities, a Trump executive order halted funds for refugee settlement, including basic needs such as food, rent and utilities.

These refugees will be/or are now labeled as here legally after an 18-month intensive screening process by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. That can apply to become permanent resident after a year. These are people fleeing wars, famine and repressive regimes, They’ve spent years in refugee camps

The abrupt funding order will affect roughly 500 newly arrived refugees across Iowa at seven resettlement agencies, such as the Catherine McAuley Center in Cedar Rapids.

The center is laying off 20 employees in the wake of the funding freeze.

“It’s really devastating, but we are resolved to continue to work,” said Anne Dugger, executive director of the Catherine McAuley Center

Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation, who have Trump’s ear, must step up to be a voice for Iowans harmed by these orders. This is why we sent them to Washington, D.C., to represent Iowans. Or will they remain silent and bow to the president’s whims? It’s a moment of truth.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com