Overview

• Ten Republican senators, led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, sent a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought on July 16 pressing for immediate release of the $6.8 billion in K-12 funds frozen since June 30.
• The withheld appropriations fund after-school care, summer programs, English learner support and adult education initiatives that local districts depend on to serve students.
• The senators argue the freeze conflicts with Trump’s pledge to return education control to states and undercuts longstanding bipartisan backing for these grants.
• Separate litigation by 22 Democratic state attorneys general, D.C.’s attorney general and governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania contends the administration violated the Impoundment Control Act by pausing congressionally approved funds.
• With OMB yet to reverse course, schools and community groups warn of service cuts and staffing layoffs as reimbursements remain in limbo.