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

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.”