Blumenthal Statement on Trump Administration Releasing Previously Blocked Funding for K-12 Education & Afterschool Programs

[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released the following statement following the Trump administration’s announcement it will release the remaining $5.5 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools and adult education programs that it has been blocking for weeks, including an estimated $53.6 million for Connecticut schools and community organizations. Before- and after-school programs, early learning centers, religious organizations, and workforce centers were also impacted.

“The Trump administration’s illegal and cruel withholding of billions of funds primarily serving children put critical educational programs at risk, including summer schools. The administration only backed down in the face of significant congressional and community outrage. I’ll continue to fight against any delayed funds that come at the expense of Connecticut residents,” said Blumenthal.

Earlier this month, Blumenthal joined a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of the funding.

The funding streams President Trump blocked for weeks, all of which are programs he requested to eliminate in his fiscal year 2026 budget request, are below:

• $2.19 billion: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
• $1.33 billion: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
• $1.38 billion: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
• $890 million: English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
• $376 million: Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
• $715 million: Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.

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