Democratic Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressing concern over the department’s approach to distributing federal grant funds. The senators argue that by concentrating multiyear grant allocations upfront rather than distributing funds incrementally across a larger number of recipients, the Education Department has effectively restricted access to approximately $630 million in appropriated funds.
Murray and Baldwin, who serve as vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ranking member of the education appropriations subcommittee respectively, contend that a year-by-year funding model would have enabled the department to award more than 1,000 additional grants this year. These grants would have supported initiatives across various areas, including student mental health services, educational research, and assistance programs for first-generation college students. The senators provided the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program as a specific example, noting that it received $71.4 million distributed to 40 grantees when projections had anticipated 148 awards.
In their letter, the senators characterized the front-loading practice as “indefensible” and accused the administration of disregarding congressional directives. They argued that restricting the scope of grant awards undermines support for students and communities across the nation. Additionally, the senators expressed concerns about efforts by the Trump administration and the Office of Management and Budget to obtain broader authority to cancel grants, warning that front-loaded grants could subsequently be terminated with funds reclaimed by the government.
Murray and Baldwin called on McMahon to cease the front-loading approach and manage grant distributions in accordance with legal requirements. They emphasized that Congress and the public expect grants to be administered in full compliance with appropriations laws.
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