Ten Republican Senators Urge Trump to Release K-12 Funding

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ten Republican U.S. senators wrote a letter to President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday urging it to reverse its decision to withhold $6.8 billion in congressionally approved federal funding for K-12 schools.

Why It’s Important

While Democrats have been critical of Trump’s move, Republican lawmakers have not often publicly disagreed with the president on policy issues. The senators who signed the letter included Shelley Moore Capito, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced it was withholding previously approved funding for schools due to what the White House termed an ongoing review process. This decision was met with a lawsuit from a coalition of mostly Democratic-led states.

Funding Affected

The funding freeze extends to support aimed at migrant farm workers and their families, teacher recruitment and training, English proficiency, academic enrichment, and after-school and summer programs.

Key Quotes

“These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support,” the lawmakers wrote to Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. They noted that the freeze contradicted Trump’s stated goal of “returning K-12 education to the states.”

They encouraged the administration to reverse the decision and release the Congressionally-approved funds to states.

Context

The OMB stated there was an “ongoing programmatic review” of education funding, with initial findings alleging the misuse of grant funds to support a “radical leftwing agenda.” Objections were raised against grant money used for scholarships for immigrant students and LGBT-themed lessons.

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from schools and colleges over issues like climate initiatives, transgender policies, pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.