Unfreeze nonprofit climate funds to support underprivileged communities

Citibank froze the accounts of several nonprofits and state agencies involved in climate initiatives after requests from the FBI, EPA, EPA Inspector General, and Treasury Department alleging "possible criminal violations." These groups were recipients of funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established by the Inflation Reduction Act to support sustainability projects. However, this action has disrupted vital programs and jeopardized the ability of organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Way to serve vulnerable communities. There is an urgent need to unfreeze these accounts and allow the nonprofits to access their congressionally-allocated funding to continue their important work. Cutting off access to funds intended for environmental justice and assisting low-income families goes against the public interest. The Trump administration must direct the relevant agencies to immediately reverse course and enable these organizations to reinstate their banking services and proceed with their climate-related programs aimed at benefiting society's most disadvantaged members. Obstructing this process only undermines critical support systems for underprivileged communities across the nation.