Overview

• Sixteen Democratic attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore access to more than $1.1 billion in COVID relief funds for K–12 education.
• The Department of Education, under Secretary Linda McMahon, rescinded the funding on March 28, citing the end of the pandemic and alleged misuse of funds, despite prior extensions through March 2026 by the Biden administration.
• The lawsuit argues the rescission violates federal law and the Administrative Procedure Act, calling the decision arbitrary and capricious and highlighting its impact on essential education services.
• States including New York, California, and Pennsylvania report significant financial losses, with funds originally intended for programs such as tutoring, mental health services, and support for homeless students.
• The funding cuts are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending, including plans to dismantle the Department of Education and lay off a significant portion of its workforce.