Concord, N.H. — Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander sent a letter calling on House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chair Robert Aderholt to join demands that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) release the more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally approved education funds currently withheld by the Trump Administration.
In their letter, the lawmakers called on Chairmen Cole and Aderholt to “pressure the Administration to release the [more than $5.5 billion in] funds Congress appropriated as soon as possible.”
They continued, “Without access to this critical funding, our schools face at least two untenable options, both of which would have severe consequences for students, educators, and the broader community, especially in Republican-controlled school districts.
- Understaff classroom support positions and absorb budget shortfalls for already-hired staff. Such measures will directly impact the quality of education and the ability of students to thrive academically.
- Many school districts will incur millions in monthly debt, diverting resources from vital education priorities. These funds, once redirected, cannot be recovered for student use, further worsening the challenges faced by our schools.”
The lawmakers concluded, saying, “We implore you to join us, just as ten of your Republican Senate colleagues have done, in demanding that OMB and the Department of Education immediately release these Congressionally approved education funds. This request comes not only from us as Members of Congress, but on behalf of millions of students, families, and educators.”
This letter comes amid reports that the Trump Administration is preparing a new rescissions package that may target the remaining $5.5 billion in education funding.
Full text of the letter is available here.
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