~ Federal funding being withheld includes over $30 million for Hawaii public schools ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and 12 colleagues in demanding answers from Education Secretary Linda McMahon over the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in federal funding for K–12 public schools—including over $30 million from Hawaii. The letter was sent just days before 24 states, including Hawaii, and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging this funding freeze.
“These funds, which represent longstanding investments in K–12 education, support a wide range of priorities such as teacher recruitment, after-school programs, English learner instruction, school-based mental health services, and academic enrichment,” the senators wrote. “Withholding funds for these important programs will disrupt essential services and undermine the support structures that students, families, and educators rely on every day.”
On July 1, schools across the country reported they were unable to access their federal funding after the Department of Education abruptly froze nearly $7 billion in grants, even though the funds were appropriated by Congress and already factored into school budgets.
The lack of clarity has left schools scrambling just weeks before the new school year begins, forcing districts to delay staffing decisions, scale back programs, and reconsider essential student support services.
“Federal education programs play a crucial role in advancing equity and expanding opportunity, especially for students from low-income and historically underserved communities,” the lawmakers continued. “With learning gaps widening and student needs growing more complex, limiting access to these resources risks deepening disparities and undermining progress across the education system.”
The senators urged the Department restore the funding and provide clarity for schools and educators.
“Congress has a constitutional responsibility to appropriate federal education funds, and it is essential that those funds are administered transparently and in accordance with federal law. We urge the Department to work with school districts to provide clarity, minimize disruption, and ensure that critical educational services remain accessible to the students who need them most,” the senators concluded.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Gallego, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Ossoff (D-GA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
The letter is endorsed by Third Way and the National Parents Union.
The full text of the letter is available here and below.
Dear Secretary McMahon and Director Vought:
We write to express strong opposition to the reported decision by the Department of Education (“the Department”) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withhold billions of dollars in federal education funding. These funds, which represent longstanding investments in K–12 and adult education, support a wide range of priorities such as teacher recruitment, afterschool programs, English learner instruction, school-based mental health services, academic enrichment, and adult education and family literacy. Withholding funds for these important programs will disrupt essential services and undermine the support structures that students, families, and educators rely on every day.
On July 1, 2025, states across the country reported that the Department and OMB were withholding nearly $6.9 billion in formula and discretionary education funds, pending a review of whether grant spending aligns with the President’s priorities. Since initiating this review, however, both have not provided grantees with clear public guidance on its scope or criteria, even though these funds were appropriated by Congress, committed to recipients, and in many cases already built into local and state education budgets. As a result, school leaders and administrators across the country have been left in a state of uncertainty, making it difficult to finalize staffing, allocate resources, and prepare effectively for the upcoming school year. The abrupt disruption has forced schools to revise staffing, delay programming decisions, and reconsider student supports with little warning.
Federal education programs play a crucial role in advancing equity and expanding opportunity, especially for students from low-income and historically underserved communities. These grants support after-school programming, student mental health services, educator development, adult literacy and high school equivalency programs, and English learner instruction—services that 21st Century Community Learning Centers and similar initiatives provide to over ten thousand local programs nationwide. Without access to this support, schools may be forced to scale back programs, reduce staff, or eliminate services essential to student success. With learning gaps widening and student needs growing more complex, limiting access to these resources risks deepening disparities and undermining progress across the education system.
We urge a response to the following requests no later than July 21, 2025:
We are deeply concerned about the uncertainty this funding pause has created for schools, educators, and families across the country. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to appropriate federal education funds, and it is essential that those funds be administered transparently and in accordance with federal law. We urge both the Department and OMB to work closely with school districts to provide clarity, minimize disruptions, and ensure that critical educational services remain accessible to the students who need them most. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
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