The BRIC is a federal grant program run by FEMA that helps states, tribes, and local governments pay for projects designed to reduce damage from future natural disasters. Over the past four years, FEMA selected nearly 2,000 projects nationwide for roughly $4.5 billion in BRIC funding. Michigan alone had 24 projects totaling more than $29 million.

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According to Nessel and coalition of 23 states who filed the latest motion, despite a December 11 court order blocking FEMA from terminating the program, “FEMA is refusing to comply.” Nessel said she intends to hold the Trump administration accountable for “critical” programs that protect communities, arguing they are being stymied.

Meanwhile in Washington….

Here’s where things get politically awkward. While Nessel criticizes the Trump administration for withholding what she calls “critical” disaster relief funding, her Democratic colleagues in Congress have stalled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations – which include FEMA’s funding – amid a broader funding dispute tied to ICE and immigration policy.

So on one hand: Democrats are suing the Trump administration to release federal disaster funds. On the other: Democrats refuse to fund the Trump administration’s federal disaster agency.

Billions in aid stalled as FEMA operations grind to a halt.

According to DHS, during a government shutdown, FEMA can’t process payments for many of its grants – including some disaster-related grants – because its grant system isn’t operating. That means billions of dollars can sit unused instead of going to the people who need it most, including firefighters, police departments, and emergency managers across the country.

Training is also affected. All in-person classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland are canceled until the shutdown ends. On top of that, FEMA has to pause support for emergency preparedness work at the state, local, tribal, and territorial levels. Planning for large national emergency exercises also stops until funding is restored.

So while Nessel is demanding that FEMA push out millions in BRIC dollars, the reality in Washington is far messier. With Democrats withholding support for DHS funding amid broader immigration fights, FEMA’s parent agency remains stuck in a partial shutdown – limiting staff, freezing grant systems, and restricting the agency’s legal ability to obligate new funds.

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In the end, Michigan communities and others across the country who are waiting on disaster dollars are stuck in the middle of a political tug-of-war with each side pointing fingers at the other. Until Congress resolves the DHS funding fight and FEMA is fully operational, it’s nearly certain that money won’t be going to many projects in the state or elsewhere.