(WGME)- The Trump administration has put a hold on $7 billion in federal funding intended for school programs nationwide.
The freeze has prompted 150 house democrats including U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine to send a letter to the Trump administration, demanding the release of the funds.
U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine said the administration’s actions are “illegal and unconstitutional,” as Congress has already approved the funds.
In Maine, $26 million earmarked for after-school programs, teacher training, and adult education remains in limbo. Pingree emphasized the importance of these funds, stating, “If these funds are withheld, this causes problems for local schools.”
The funds were expected to be released on July 1, but the White House is holding them for review. Pingree argued, “Funding education has been considered such a fundamentally important thing. We all agree as a nation that public education is important.”
Pingree, along with Maine Congressman Jared Golden and 150 other House Democrats, sent a letter to the Trump administration.
The letter sent to the administration stated,
“We write to request more information about your decision to illegally withhold nearly $7 billion dollars of funding for K-12 schools and adult education from states and local school districts around the country and to insist that this funding be immediately released. Without these funds, schools are facing difficult and unnecessary decisions on programs for students and teachers. “
“This unnecessary delay of education funding, which accounts for at least 10 percent of federal K-12 funding in every state, is alarming parents, local elected officials, and education agencies. It is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and is already resulting in layoffs as well as program delays and cancellations”
Pingree said Congress will discuss the issue in the Appropriations Committee on Monday.
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