Rep. Cleaver Joins Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Release $7 Billion in Education Funding
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) has joined 150 House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration release nearly $7 billion in congressionally-mandated federal funding dedicated to education-related programs nationwide, including after school programs, teacher training, and adult education. In a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Rep. Cleaver, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and 149 other House Democrats underline the impact this action is having on local schools, students, and teachers in communities across the country.
“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,” the lawmakers wrote. “Without these funds, schools are facing difficult and unnecessary decisions on programs for students and teachers.”
“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,” the lawmakers continued. “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 cancellations.”
“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 lawmakers concluded.
The illegally withheld funding represents at least 10% of federal K-12 funding in every state. Missouri’s schools are unable to access nearly $84 million in federal funding because of the Trump Administration’s actions, including $1.3 million from Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and nearly $5 million from Kansas City Public Schools. The failure to release this funding on time is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and could result in layoffs, program delays, and cancellations for students and their families.
The official letter from lawmakers is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.