The Department of Veterans Affairs moved with breakneck speed Tuesday to review its programs that oversee grants, loans and financial assistance to outside organizations, declaring that 44 programs targeted by a federal funding freeze would continue.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt vehemently defended the administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid, arguing Tuesday in her first press briefing that it was critical to scrutinize the scope of the government’s spending.

White House officials said VA financial assistance programs do not violate rules banning diversity and inclusion efforts.