Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) on Friday called on President Donald Trump to restore $6 billion in federal funding to before and after-school programs in his congressional district.
The lawmaker’s request pertains to the Trump administration’s recent decision to withhold fiscal year 2025 funding from the federal education initiative, 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The $6 billion in funding was already appropriated by Congress when Trump signed the government funding bill in March to avoid a shutdown.
Lawler argues that the before- and after-school programs are particularly helpful for low-income students in low-performing schools, which he implies will be harmed as a result of the frozen funds.
“This program deeply aligns with your Administration’s goals to return power to the state, instead of Washington, D.C., bureaucrats. State Education Agencies are fully responsible for administering the grant, providing each community with the opportunity to distribute funding where it is most needed,” the New York Republican wrote in a brief letter.
“Further, 21st Century Community Learning Centers are a perfect example of what happens when we take the federal government out of education – outcomes are better,” he continued. “Students that participate in these programs have been found to have better attendance records, are more engaged in their classes, and see improvements in their academic performance, including in reading and math.”
White House officials say the pulled funds are being reviewed to ensure they’re aligned with the administration’s agenda, which has seen a widespread crackdown on left-wing bias in education.
“Initial findings show that many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda,” a spokesperson for the White House’s Office of Management and Budget said.
They added, “In one case, NY public schools used English Language Acquisition funds to promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations. In another, Washington state used funds to direct illegal immigrants towards scholarships intended for American students. In yet another, School Improvement funds were used to conduct a seminar on ‘queer resistance in the arts.’”
No decision has been made amid the funding’s ongoing review.
The Afterschool Alliance slammed Trump’s decision to withhold the funding as a “stunning betrayal,” arguing it will only lead to more frequent chronic absenteeism and increased dropout rates.
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Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes further cuts to funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The next fiscal year starts Oct. 1.
“This program is a valuable investment with proven results,” Lawler concluded. “I urge you to distribute funding to states prior to the beginning of the upcoming school year, in keeping with your education goals to return power to states and local communities.”
