A group of 20 U.S. states, mostly led by Democrats, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to block the cancellation of a multibillion-dollar federal grant program that helps fund infrastructure improvements to protect communities from natural disasters.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Boston on Wednesday, argues that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not have the authority to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The program had been approved by Congress and was fully funded before its abrupt cancellation in April 2025.
The BRIC program, established in 2018, was designed to fund projects that help communities prepare for and reduce the damage from natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. It covers up to 75% of the costs for infrastructure projects, with a 90% contribution for rural areas. Over the past four years, the program has provided about $4.5 billion for nearly 2,000 projects, including flood walls, evacuation shelters, and road improvements.
The states involved in the lawsuit, led by Washington and Massachusetts, claim that the decision to cancel the program is unlawful and goes against the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government. They also argue that FEMA’s actions undermine efforts to protect communities, especially in coastal states that have been most affected by climate-related disasters.
FEMA’s decision to end the BRIC program in April 2025 was based on the agency’s claims that the program had been ineffective, wasteful, and overly politicized. The agency has faced intense criticism over its response to several recent natural disasters, including deadly floods in Texas earlier this month, which has sparked renewed concerns about the agency’s ability to protect vulnerable communities.
In response to the lawsuit, FEMA and the White House have not yet made public comments.
The BRIC program had become a cornerstone of the U.S. government’s efforts to reduce the risk of damage from natural disasters and build resilience in vulnerable communities. The lawsuit has drawn attention to the growing political divide over how to handle disaster preparedness and climate change in the U.S.
As the legal battle unfolds, many states are hoping for a swift resolution to ensure the continuation of critical funding for disaster prevention initiatives, which they believe are essential to protecting lives and property.
