UPDATE: W.Va. Senators Lead Charge To Free Up Federal Education Funds 

Updated Friday, July 18 at 3:17 p.m.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., says the U.S. Department of Education will release a portion of the $6 billion in education grants frozen earlier this month.

Capito wrote a letter Wednesday to Russ Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, signed by nine other Senate Republicans, including Sen. Jim Justice. The announcement comes just two days after she wrote a letter urging the release of the funds.

Friday morning, Capito said Vought informed her funds to support 21st Century Community Learning Centers will be released to states. The program supports states in providing after-school and summer learning programs for students.

“21st Century Community Learning Centers offer important services that many West Virginians rely on. This program supports states in providing quality after-school and summer learning programs for students while enabling their parents to work and contribute to local economies,” Capito said in a press release. “We should be supporting education opportunities like these. I made this clear to OMB Director Vought and was glad he followed through on my request to release these critical funds. Doing so will help our students in West Virginia and across country thrive.”

According to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for afterschool programs, more than $1.3 billion 21st Century Community Learning Center grants have been appropriated in recent years.

Original Story:

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., wrote a letter Wednesday to Russ Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, urging him to release more than $6 billion in education grants. 

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., was one of the nine other Senate Republicans that signed the letter.

States normally receive federal education funds for programs like before- and after-school enrichment and adult education on July 1.

But on June 30 the U.S. Education Department notified state education officials that it was withholding the money until a review of the funds can be completed. 

“We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds,” Capito said in the letter. “These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies.”

The letter comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and the District of Columbia Monday to free the funds. Less than a month remains for schools in West Virginia to resume classes for the fall, and the uncertainty of federal funding could put many districts in a difficult financial position. 

Capito warned that not releasing the funds from the continuing resolution, approved by lawmakers and signed by President Trump in March, will harm students, families and local economies.

“The decision to withhold this funding is contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states,” she said. “This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.

**Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include an announcement Friday that some of the frozen funds will be released to states to fund after-school and summer learning programs.