Ranking Member Scott Statement on Trump Administration Withholding Nearly $7 Billion in Funding to Schools
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Trump Administration notified schools it is effectively withholding nearly $7 billion in Congressionally appropriated federal funding.
“With less than one day 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 will now have to make difficult decisions about how to move forward without the funding they were guaranteed. Further, the Trump Administration is refusing to obligate funds for adult education and literacy programs, which help adults and legal immigrants to learn how to read, write, and enter the workforce.
“The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 clearly states it is a violation for the Administration to withhold appropriated funds that were intended to support relevant services, especially without taking certain steps. And this Administration’s plan to deny states resources previously allocated to them and refusal to distribute the funds as allocated by Congress violates the law. This action will undoubtedly be challenged in the Courts, wasting time and more taxpayer resources. Cash strapped school districts, particularly those in low-income and rural areas, cannot afford this delay and will likely be forced to either lay off staff or cut back on programs and services while the White House Office of Budget and Management ‘reviews’ the funding.
“Further, this Administration is making it nearly impossible to fulfill the promise of the Brown v. Board of Education decision which called for public schools to make educational programs and services ‘available to all on equal terms.’ Ultimately, the halting of these critical funds harms the students, educators, and schools that strive to provide quality public education with the meager funds and challenges they face.
“President Trump’s decision to actively defund public education programs comes at the same time Congressional Republicans are on the verge of passing their ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ which further drains public schools of resources via their voucher scheme; restricts students’ access to free school meals; and explodes the national debt, all to give tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy. These attacks on students and educators cannot go unanswered, and Congressional Democrats are committed to protecting public education.”
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