Atlanta, GA — In a major victory for students and families across the country, the Office of Management and Budget announced today it will release a portion of the $7 billion in illegally withheld federal funds for after-school, teacher training, and summer education programs. The restored grant funding comes after pressure and a letter led by Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06) and House Democrats.
“I'm proud to stand up for Georgia’s students and for families across America,” said Rep. Lucy McBath. “We sent a clear message: following through with the funds we approved in Congress is not optional, it is the law. Today’s decision is a direct result of our collective advocacy and a triumph for children who rely on these programs to learn, grow, and succeed. This is about doing what’s right for our children. Every child, no matter their ZIP code, deserves access to a high-quality education.”
Earlier this week, McBath spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives and called on the Trump Administration to release the funding.
Last week, McBath led a letter with 150 House Democrats demanding Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought release the Congressionally-appropriated federal funding for education programs. The letter was co-led by Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce; Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Ranking Member of the House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee; and Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee.
The grant program that will soon be released to states is part of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting after and before-school programs and summer learning initiatives. It supports tutoring and child care for millions of students, particularly in underserved communities. The funds that will soon be distributed will allow schools and community partners to restore and expand some programs that had been at risk due to the funding freeze.
The funding is typically released annually on July 1 and represents at least 10% of federal K-12 funding in every state. Georgia’s schools are 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 is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and is already resulting in layoffs, program delays, and cancellations for students and their families.
McBath has long championed expanded learning opportunities and continues to advocate for stronger federal support for public education. The full text of McBath’s letter can be found here.