Atlanta, GA — After illegally withholding $7 billion in Education funding approved by Congress, officials within the Trump Administration have announced they will release the remaining funds. The restored funding comes after pressure initially led by Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and House Democrats.
Last week, it was announced that an initial $1.3 billion would be released, and McBath continued to call for officials to follow the law and disburse the Congressionally-appropriated federal funding for education programs. Yesterday, McBath co-led a letter with Rep. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Ranking Member of the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee; and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Ranking Member of the House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee demanding the remaining funds be released. McBath’s remarks earlier in the week on the House floor can be found here.
“I am deeply relieved that schools and students will finally receive the full funding they are counting on. This money is critical for teachers, classrooms, and the millions of children who rely on these programs to succeed. This is a victory for those who care for and educate future generations,” said Rep. Lucy McBath. “The Trump Administration’s delay put the success of our students in serious jeopardy. Districts were left in limbo, forced to plan without knowing if they’d have the resources to keep staff or offer basic educational services. That is a disservice to the American people. Their children should never be caught up in political games.”
“With less than one day’s notice to grant recipients or to Congress, the Trump Administration inexplicably and unlawfully announced it is withholding billions of dollars in education funding from schools nationwide, including Congressionally appropriated funding for teacher training, after-school programs, classroom technology, English learners, and migratory children and youth. With only a few weeks until the start of the new school year in some jurisdictions, states and districts were having to make difficult decisions about how to move forward without the funding they were guaranteed. Further, the Trump Administration was refusing to obligate funds for adult education and literacy programs, which help adults and legal immigrants learn how to read, write, and enter the workforce,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce.
“I’m proud to see these Congressionally approved education funds finally released so we can better support our students, schools, and communities,” said Congresswoman Adams. “When it became clear these funds were being illegally withheld by the Trump Administration, House Democrats acted swiftly to ensure our school districts received the resources they were owed. Today, we won that fight but make no mistake, the work isn’t over. We will continue holding this administration accountable because our children’s educational future depends on it.”
“The Trump Administration is finally releasing billions of dollars in education grant funding that schools expected to receive on July 1st, weeks after I joined Rep. McBath and Ranking Member Scott in demanding the administration disperse the funding to schools. Although it is a positive step that the administration is no longer holding up these funds, damage has already been done as schools have navigated more than three weeks of budget uncertainty. The administration must commit to releasing all congressionally-authorized funding immediately,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.
The funding is typically released annually on July 1 and is at least 10% of federal K-12 funding in every state. Georgia’s schools were missing out on a total of $223.9 million in federal funding because of the Trump Administration’s actions. The failure to release the full funding on time disrupted school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and has already resulted in layoffs, program delays, and cancellations. It is unclear if programs that were set to be cancelled will be restored.