A coalition of 16 states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the abrupt termination of federal pandemic relief funds designated for K-12 education.
The legal action, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, contends that the Department of Education’s decision to halt access to these funds violates federal law and undermines efforts to support students still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sudden Funding Cut Sparks Legal Challenge
On March 28, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the immediate cessation of extensions that had allowed states to utilize remaining COVID-19 relief funds through March 2026.
These funds, initially provided under the American Rescue Plan Act, were earmarked for critical educational services, including tutoring programs, support for homeless students, and infrastructure improvements. The plaintiffs argue that the abrupt policy reversal, without adequate explanation, constitutes an “arbitrary and capricious” action, contravening the Administrative Procedure Act.
The lawsuit highlights the significant financial impact on states: New York stands to lose $134 million, Pennsylvania $185 million, New Jersey nearly $85 million, and Illinois approximately $77 million. These funds were integral to ongoing projects aimed at mitigating the pandemic’s educational disruptions.
In defense of the funding halt, a spokesperson for Secretary McMahon stated that the COVID-19 emergency has concluded, asserting that states and school districts can no longer justify the use of emergency pandemic funds for “COVID relief,” citing documented instances of misuse.
The plaintiffs seek a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent the Department of Education from enforcing the funding cutoff, aiming to ensure that states can continue to access these essential resources. The outcome of this legal challenge will have significant implications for the continuity of educational support services across the nation.
The lawsuit argues that cutting off COVID-19 relief funding will severely impact essential programs designed to support K-12 students still struggling with the long-term effects of the pandemic.