Federal Court Backs Harris County in Fight to Restore Illegally Cut Public Health Funds
A federal district court has ruled in favor of Harris County and several local governments in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), marking a major legal win that restores millions in public health funding previously and unlawfully revoked by the federal agency.
The ruling, announced by Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, ensures the continuation of critical local health initiatives ranging from disease tracking and vaccination clinics to social services that support low-income families.
Background: Why Harris County Sued the Federal Government
Earlier this year, the federal government abruptly ended public health grant funding that had already been approved by Congress and distributed to local agencies across the country. The funds were intended to support health infrastructure improvements following the COVID-19 pandemic, with many localities—Harris County among them—already using the money to implement programs.
In April 2025, Harris County, along with cities including Columbus, Nashville, and Kansas City, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the funding cuts. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Public Rights Project, and the legal nonprofit Democracy Forward also joined the suit.
At the heart of the case was whether HHS had the authority to retroactively withdraw funds Congress had already appropriated and which local governments had begun to spend. The court ruled that HHS had overstepped its legal authority, effectively affirming that the power to allocate and control federal spending lies with Congress—not executive agencies.
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What Was at Stake: Local Programs in Jeopardy
Harris County stood to lose substantial funding for a range of public health programs had the ruling gone the other way. The following services were directly threatened by the HHS decision:
- Wastewater Surveillance: A frontline tool for tracking the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and emerging threats like mpox and Zika.
- HCPH Connect: A county-run outreach program that helps residents apply for health coverage, food assistance, and other critical services.
- Mobile Vaccination Clinics: Designed to reach underserved communities, particularly children and seniors.
- Disease Monitoring Systems: Which track more than 80 diseases that could pose a public health risk.
“The federal government cannot simply ignore Congress and pull the plug on essential services that communities rely on,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee in a statement. “Today’s decision ensures we can keep doing the work that protects our residents — from tracking disease outbreaks to providing vaccinations and supporting vulnerable families.”
Legal and Community Impact
In siding with Harris County and its co-plaintiffs, the court reinforced the constitutional principle that federal agencies must follow congressional spending decisions. The ruling has national implications, offering legal clarity and budgetary stability to health departments across the United States.
“Local governments can’t plan or protect residents when federal agencies pull the rug out from under them without legal authority,” Menefee added. “This decision restores stability for our public health system and reaffirms that Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, decides how public dollars are spent.”
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What’s Next for Harris County Residents
The restored funding means Harris County Public Health can resume normal operations and continue its long-term planning for health resilience. Residents who rely on county resources for vaccinations, disease monitoring, and health access services should see no disruption.
Officials have not yet announced whether HHS will appeal the court’s ruling. In the meantime, the county urges residents to stay informed and engaged.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
