Tampering with the Department of Education
The funding was already been allocated by Congress for July 1, 2024. The Department of Education has taken it upon themselves to withhold those funds already allocated and approved for disbursement for July 1. Former WWW executive and now Department Secretary of Education Linda E. McMahon has taken it upon herself to withhold the funding. A big promoter of Tr__p, she came to this position via Tr__p appointing her.
And now she is threatening school funding which will have a detrimental impact on many states. States planned on the funding and there is little reserve in place to cover for any delays in federal funding. Funding has always been an issue in many states and districts. In the end, they will not have Summer classes and a delay will likely with shorten the Fall classes. She is in a position she should have never been chosen.
Other than just being ornery and displaying her executive power, there really is no reason to withhold funding. It is not a wrestling match . . .
Some History
On June 30, the Department of Education announced via two emails that it is withholding $6.8 billion in funding previously slated for distribution starting July 1.
The first email suspended $6.2 billion in funding for K-12 programs for summer and before-and-after-school, exposure to a well-rounded education, English learners, students from migrant families, and teacher training (Titles I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B of the Every Student Succeeds Act). The second email suspended $729 million in funding for adult basic and literacy education.
The $6.8 billion shortfall could force states to choose between slashing student services—including some mandated by federal law—and other priorities at a time when Congress is also making historic cuts in federal support for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
By law, the Trump administration cannot withhold funding—the official term is “impoundment”—just because it disagrees with policies set by Congress. It must file an official “rescission” request.
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 underscores that power. Tell Congress to exercise it!
National Education Association’s proposed letter . . .
Dear [elected official],
“As a constituent, I urge you to assert your constitutional authority to ensure that money is spent as Congress intended—specifically, funds appropriated for K-12 programs for summer and before-and-after-school, exposure to a well-rounded education, English learners, students from migrant families, and teacher training (Titles I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B of the Every Student Succeeds Act), as well as adult basic and literacy education.
On June 30, the Department of Education announced that it is withholding $6.8 billion in funding for these programs, which had been slated for distribution starting July 1.
The shortfall could force states to choose between slashing student services—including some mandated by federal law—and other priorities at a time when Congress is also making historic cuts in federal support for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 underscores that power. I urge you to insist that Office of Management and Budget direct the
Department of Education to follow the law and immediately release the education funding that is needed to provide educational services for millions of students. Please act NOW!”
Sincerely,
Your name
Maybe write your senator and congressional representative.
I am using this article as a lead into what I believe is a significant discussion we should be having now over another possible Government Shutdown beginning October 1st, just 2.5 months away.
First, it’s highly possible that the withholding of the $6.8 billion in federal education funding discussed here could become a another point of negotiation as Congress considers a government shutdown.
See: is Department of Education funding included in the $9.4 billion recession package?” for details
Now, on to the main discussion of a Government Shutdown. Just like in March, Democrats may be in control of whether we have a government shutdown on Oct 1, 2025, or not. BUT, remember Trump’s powers can be significantly amplified during a shutdown, including taking over domestic communications and seizing Americans’ bank accounts. A government shutdown my be exactly what Trump wants.
See: a Potential power Trump could wield during a government shutdown” for details
The possibility of a Government Shutdown may become more clear by this Friday, July 18, 2025. . .
The GOP-controlled Congress must approve the $9.4 billion recession package by a simple majority by Friday. If it passes, Sen. Dems say they will refuse to cooperate in the FY 2026 budget, which also must pass by a simple majority by September 30th to avoid a Government Shutdown. Trump has said he will seek punishment for any Republican that does not support the recession package.
See: what is the connection between the $9.4 billion rescission package & the FY 2026 budget & a government shutdownfor complete details.
My point would be that Democrats should begin a major public education campaign NOW, if they plan to hold firm on their warnings about not supporting the GOP cuts being proposed. The GOP may not be able to pass their budget cuts without Democratic support. The deadline to avoid a shutdown is September 30, 2025.
Democrats should get out front in trying to explain this complex situation and their rationale for how they are going to react to avoid another Party meltdown, as we saw in March of this year. Democrats must clearly explain to the public what they are demanding of Republicans if they are going to supply votes to avoid a shutdown. Republicans will attempt to blame Democrats for the shutdown, but the public must know that Republicans could have avoided it if they had met articulated Democratic requirements.
This may all have become irrelevant with the Supreme Court holding today, without explanation, that Trump can fire all the department’s employees. thus gutting the department despite Congress having funded it. We’re in a different world.