Spending Clause
Coverage of Spending Clause in the Nexus archive.
- Trump officials were trying to use a Biden rule to gut billions in grants — a judge just said no
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from using a Biden-era grant termination clause to cut billions in funding for programs like crime prevention and scientific research. Twenty-three states sued, arguing the administration misinterpreted the clause to cancel grants, but the judge ruled the administration's approach violated the Spending Clause and lacked textual support.
- Supreme Court blocks suit over prison guards’ forced shave
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a Rastafarian man, Damon Landor, cannot sue Louisiana prison officials for forcibly shaving his dreadlocks, citing limitations under the Spending Clause. The decision blocks his religious rights lawsuit under RLUIPA, with dissenting justices warning it leaves prisoners without remedies for religious violations. Louisiana revised its grooming policies in response to the case.