John,
More than $5 billion in education funding, money Congress already approved and President Trump already signed into law, is being held hostage.
Trump's Department of Education stunned the country by announcing that funding for teachers, after-school programs, English learners, migrant students, and adult literacy programs would be blocked for an “ideological review.” The result will be layoffs, program cuts, and chaos for millions of students and educators just weeks before the new school year.
Originally it was $7 billion, but the Trump’s administration partially relented under bipartisan pressure. It’s not nearly enough, but it is proof that the pressure is working. Every day these funds remain frozen, more children go without the teachers, resources, and support they need.
Tell Congress to act now to force the full release of this funding, and if Trump won’t comply, they must take legal and legislative action to stop him from sabotaging our schools.
These dollars fund real, urgent needs. It is a lifeline for public schools already strained to the breaking point. The administration’s ideological review targets what they label as “left-wing programs.” In reality, they’re defunding everything from summer reading to bilingual education to basic civics for adults.
Even Republican senators are pushing back. But Trump, Secretary Linda McMahon, and OMB Director Russell Vought are stalling for time, hoping the public outrage will fade.
We cannot let that happen.
The lawsuits have been filed. The letters have been sent. But this will only end when Congress uses its power to force the administration’s hand. The Constitution is clear that Congress holds the purse strings, not the White House.
Demand the release of all $5 billion in still frozen education funding now, before school starts and children are left to face empty classrooms, canceled programs, and a system stripped of the resources they desperately need.
Let’s fight for every child and every classroom nationwide.
-DFA AF Team