(TNND) — The Trump administration is playing hardball with state education departments across the country.
On Tuesday they withheld $6.8 billion in federal funding, previously slated for teacher training, after-school programs and services for English learners and migrant students, pending an ongoing departmental review of fiscal year 2025 grant funding.
July 1st was the expected date for states to receive federal education funds allocated for the upcoming school year. Instead an email from the The Department of Education was sent saying that “the Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review.”
The Center Square obtained a copy of the email that listed the affected programs.
Title I-C for migrant educationTitle II-A for professional developmentTitle III-A for English-learner servicesTitle IV-A for academic enrichmentTitle IV-B for before- and after-school programs
The email concluded that, “The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
Federal law usually prohibits the White House from unilaterally withholding funds appropriated by Congress. In fact any presidential request to rescind funds must be approved by Congress within 45 days, or the money must be spent as directed.