Rep. Jimmy Panetta Pushes to Restore Withheld Federal Education Funding for California Students
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined his House Democratic colleagues demanding that the Trump Administration immediately release nearly $7 billion in congressionally approved federal education funding that is currently being withheld from schools across the nation, including nearly $928 million from California. Rep. Panetta joined two official Congressional inquiries, one submitted by Democrats in the California delegation and another backed by 150 House Democrats nationwide, seeking answers and action on the withheld federal funding for local school systems. The state of California boasts nearly 5.8 million K-12 students in its schools.
“Due to this Administration’s, decisions on funding for education, School districts across our country, California, and our community are stuck with more uncertainty just weeks before the school year begins,” said Rep. Panetta. “Congress provided this federal funding to ensure that students have access to afterschool programs, English language instruction, and the support services they need to succeed. The Administration’s refusal to release these dollars undermines our students and creates unnecessary confusion and hardship for schools. Together, my congressional colleagues and I are, again, fighting back and working to get these funds flowing for our children, families, teachers, and communities.”
The Administration’s education funding freeze could impact education services across California’s 19th Congressional District which includes parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. For example, in Santa Cruz County, the freeze jeopardizes critical programs at Pajaro Valley Unified School District, including $3 million for migrant education, $4.6 million for afterschool services, and nearly $400,000 for adult education. With no legal justification or clear timeline from the Administration, districts across the region are being forced to make budget decisions without promised federal support.
In the California inquiry, the Members state, “These programs support some of the most vulnerable and underserved students and communities in California and have been demonstrated to have lifelong benefits to students’ educational attainment, income, and other measures of wellbeing. Each passing day that these funds are unlawfully withheld hurts our schools and students and strains already limited budgets.”
In the nationwide inquiry, the Members state, “There is no legitimate reason why any review of these programs should prevent the Administration from fulfilling its responsibility to the American people on time. No more excuses — follow the law and release the funding meant for our schools, teachers, and families.”
These federal funds, typically distributed on July 1, support a wide range of essential education programs, including:
- Migrant Education (Title I-C), serving children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers;
- English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), supporting students learning English;
- Supporting Effective Instruction Grants (Title II-A), for teacher training and class size reduction;
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), for afterschool and summer enrichment programs;
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), funding STEM education, mental health services, and college readiness;
- Adult Basic Education and Literacy Grants, including civics and workforce readiness.
Read the full California Delegation letter: HERE
Read the House Democratic Caucus letter: HERE
###