McBath Leads House Democrats in Demanding Trump Administration Release $7 Billion in Illegally Withheld Education Funding

Atlanta, GA — U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) is leading 150 House Democrats in pressuring the Trump Administration to release almost $7 billion in illegally withheld, Congressionally-appropriated federal funding meant for education related programs such as after school programs, teacher training, and adult education. In a letter released today and 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, Members outline the impact that this decision is having on schools, teachers, and families across the country and demand transparency from Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. 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 $223.9 million in federal funding because of the Trump Administration’s actions. The failure to release this 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. The Members write: “On June 30, 2025, just one day before these funds become available for obligation, the Department notified states that they would not receive these funds by July 1 and that ‘[g]iven the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding … and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.’ This late-breaking decision, which provided no timeline for which states can expect a final decision, is leaving states financially vulnerable and forcing many to make last minute decisions about how to proceed with K12 education in this upcoming school year. The education funding withheld by the Administration reflects resources provided by Congress that are designed to help schools with a variety of issues, including student learning and achievement, after-school programs, and teacher training.” The letter continues: “There is no legitimate reason why any review of these programs should prevent the Administration from fulfilling its responsibility to the American people on time. No more excuses—follow the law and release the funding meant for our schools, teachers, and families.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below: Secretary McMahon and Director Vought, We write to request more information about your decision to illegally withhold nearly $7 billion dollars of funding for K-12 schools and adult education from states and local school districts around the country and to insist that this funding be immediately released. Without these funds, schools are facing difficult and unnecessary decisions on programs for students and teachers. On June 30, 2025, just one day before these funds become available for obligation, the Department notified states that they would not receive these funds by July 1 and that “[g]iventhe change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding … and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year.” This late-breaking decision, which provided no timeline for which states can expect a final decision, is leaving states financially vulnerable and forcing many to make last minute decisions about how to proceed with K12 education in this upcoming school year. The education funding withheld by the Administration reflects resources provided by Congress that are designed to help schools with a variety of issues, including student learning and achievement, after-school programs, and teacher training. Additionally, education funding provided by Congress to help with adult education and literacy is also being withheld. This unnecessary delay of education funding, which accounts for at least 10 percent of federal K-12 funding in every state, is alarming parents, local elected officials, and education agencies. It is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and is already resulting in layoffs as well as program delays and cancellation. Further, it is causing concern to adult education programs that are faced with similar decisions without immediate access to expected funding. Accordingly, please provide responses to the following questions no later than July 15, 2025. 1. When will the Administration finish its review and release the funding provided by Congress to states to use for the school year beginning next month? 2. Has the Administration done any outreach or offered any sort of support for state and local education agencies to assist them and their partners in navigating this period of uncertainty? 3. If the Administration knew it wanted to review these funds, why didn’t this review start earlier in the year? Was the review or the timely release of funds affected by the lack of staff at the Department, which is a direct result of the reductions in force (RIFs) executed by the Administration? There is no legitimate reason why any review of these programs should prevent the Administration from fulfilling its responsibility to the American people on time. No more excuses – follow the law and release the funding meant for our schools, teachers, and families. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing these dollars allocated immediately. Sincerely, Lucy McBath Robert C. "Bobby" Scott Suzanne Bonamici Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. Gabe Amo Yassamin Ansari Jake Auchincloss Becca Balint Nanette Diaz Barragán Donald S. Beyer Jr. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. Brendan F. Boyle Shontel M. Brown Julia Brownley Nikki Budzinski Salud Carbajal André Carson Greg Casar Sean Casten Kathy Castor Joaquin Castro Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Judy Chu Yvette D. Clarke Emanuel Cleaver, II Steve Cohen J. Luis Correa Jim Costa Joe Courtney Jason Crow Danny K. Davis Madeleine Dean Diana DeGette Chris Deluzio Mark DeSaulnier Maxine Dexter Debbie Dingell Lloyd Doggett Sarah Elfreth Veronica Escobar Adriano Espaillat Dwight Evans Cleo Fields Lizzie Fletcher Bill Foster Lois Frankel Laura Friedman Maxwell Alejandro Frost John Garamendi Jesús G. "Chuy" García Robert Garcia Sylvia R. Garcia Jared Golden Dan Goldman Vicente Gonzalez Maggie Goodlander Josh Gottheimer Jahana Hayes Jim Himes Steven Horsford Chrissy Houlahan Val Hoyle Jonathan L. Jackson Sara Jacobs Pramila Jayapal Henry C. 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