Attorney General Clark Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Freeze That Blocks $26 Million for Vermont Schools

Attorney General Charity Clark has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for unlawfully freezing an estimated $26 million in federal funding meant for Vermont schools. Nationwide, $6.8 billion in federal funding has been frozen just weeks before the start of the school year. This funding supports six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and, without it, school districts-particularly those serving high-need student populations-will be impeded from retaining key staff, maintaining high-quality educational offerings, and providing mentorship and training programs to improve instructional capacity.

In the lawsuit, Attorney General Clark and a coalition of 23 other states argue that the Trump Administration's funding freeze violates the federal funding statutes and regulations authorizing these critical programs and appropriating funds for them. The funding freeze violates federal statutes governing the federal budgeting process, the constitutional separation of powers doctrine, and the Presentment Clause. The coalition is asking the court to block any attempts to withhold or delay this funding.

"Once again, the President wishes to unconstitutionally undo appropriations made by Congress. The President does not have the power to freeze these funds - funds that Vermont schools are counting on. I am going to keep fighting for our Constitution, for Vermont schools, and for the future of our country," said Attorney General Clark.

For decades, Vermont and other states have used funding under these programs to carry out a broad range of programs and services, including educational programs for children of migratory agricultural workers and English learners; programs that promote effective classroom instruction, improve school conditions and the use of technology in the classroom; community learning centers that offer students a broad range of opportunities for academic and extracurricular enrichment; and adult education and workforce development efforts.

In accordance with federal statutory and regulatory requirements, each year the Department of Education makes around 25% of the funds for these programs available to states on or about July 1 so that state and local educational agencies may plan their budgets for the academic year ahead. The States have complied with the funding conditions set forth under the law and have plans that the Department of Education has already approved. However, this year, on June 30, state agencies across the country received a notification announcing that the Department of Education would not be issuing grant award notifications for six formula funding programs on July 1.

For decades, the States have received these funds, without incident, including as recently as last year. School districts have approved budgets, developed staffing plans, and signed contracts to provide vital educational services under these grants. Now, as a result of the Trump Administration's actions, States find themselves without sufficient funding for these commitments.

Attorney General Clark was joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

A copy of the lawsuit is available here .

Today's lawsuit is the twenty-second case overall that Attorney General Clark has brought against the Trump Administration since President Trump took office in January. For more information on actions taken by the Attorney General on behalf of Vermonters, visit our website at ago.vermont.gov/ago-actions .

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171