States Sue Trump Administration Over Pandemic Relief Aid Halt

Public officials from 16 states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore access to pandemic relief aid for schools, following the Education Department's abrupt halt of promised funding. The coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, claims that this decision violates federal law, reversing a prior commitment that allowed states to access the funds through March 2026. Many schools, initially required to spend the relief funds by January, had been granted extensions by the Biden administration, which the current administration has now disregarded. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the decision, stating that schools had sufficient time to utilize the funds, though she mentioned the department would consider individual extension requests. The lawsuit highlights the significant financial impact on states, with New York losing access to $134 million and Pennsylvania claiming $183.6 million owed to various educational institutions. Advocates warn that this funding cut will adversely affect critical services for vulnerable students, including essential supplies and support programs.