Gray Cat Policy
Recent Press Clips
The Imprint
January 8, 2026
Elizabeth Lower-Basch, an expert on public benefits, called the freeze unprecedented and said it was very likely illegal given that federal laws already include oversight penalties for misuse of funds — penalties that are far less severe than this week’s total freeze.
Lower-Basch added that states may only be able to cover the cost of the withheld federal funding for a short time.
“If this lasts an extended period of time, states’ ability to do so will eventually run out, and families will lose payments and services that are critical,” she said.
CNN.com
January 7, 2026
“It’s a relatively small number of families, but it’s ones who would likely be destitute without it,” she said, noting the freeze could result in families being evicted and unable to pay for basic necessities, including food.
Vox
December 30, 2025
“There are a lot of folks who pay lip service to believing moms should be home with their kids, but don’t seem to think that applies to people with very low income,” said Elizabeth Lower-Basch...
Mississippi Today
January 2, 2026
“Mississippi is making this harder than it needs to be, I think, is the bottom line,” Lower-Basch said.
Mississippi Today
March 11, 2025
“There are a lot of things I don’t think Congress intended for TANF to be used for, and in some cases I don’t think is the highest priority for the use of TANF funds, but it is lawful,” Lower-Basch said. “The idea that what very low-income people, who are struggling to keep their kids housed and fed and going to school, need is someone rich and famous telling them to work harder is disgusting, but it’s allowed.”