U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and several Senate colleagues have urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to release federal education funds allocated under the Fiscal Year 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act. In a letter addressed to OMB Director Russell Vought, the senators asked for the timely implementation of the law signed by President Trump earlier this year.
The legislation provides funding for several key educational programs, including Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, English Language Acquisition, Migrant Education, and Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants.
In their letter, the senators wrote: “The decision to withhold this funding is directly contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states. This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.”
The letter was co-signed by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and M. Michael Rounds (R-SD).
Addressing concerns about taxpayer dollars being used for politically controversial programs, the senators stated: “We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds. These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies.”
They further emphasized the importance of supporting adult learners through these grants: “These funds also go to support adult learners. These students are often adults seeking second chances for a myriad of reasons, for example, caregiving responsibilities or financial challenges. These are adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education. We should be making educational opportunities easier for these students, not harder.”
The senators concluded their appeal by stating: “We welcome the opportunity to work with you and Secretary McMahon to ensure that all federal education funding goes towards programs that help states and school districts provide students an excellent education. We want to see students in our states and across the country thrive, whether they are adult learners, students who speak English as a second language, or students who need after-school care so that their parents can work. We believe you share the same goal.
We encourage you to reverse your decision and release this Congressionally-approved funding to states.
Thank you for your attention to this request, and we look forward to your prompt reply.”
