Coalition of State Attorneys General Sue to Restore $6.8 Billion in Federal Education, Disaster Mitigation Funding

Attorney General Letitia James of New York, along with 18 other state attorneys general and the Pennsylvania governor, has filed a lawsuit to block the Trump administration's decision to cut $4.5 billion in FEMA funding from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which would remove over $325 million from New York projects designed to mitigate natural disasters. Concurrently, Attorney General Jeff Jackson of North Carolina, joined by 24 other states, has sued the federal government to restore $6.8 billion in education funds that were abruptly frozen, threatening over $165 million in North Carolina’s school funding and nearly 1,000 teaching jobs. This lawsuit highlights the severe impact on rural districts and essential educational programs, including after-school activities and adult literacy initiatives. Similarly, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and other states filed a related suit against the Trump administration over the suspension of federal education grants critical for summer programming, adult education, and teacher training, with states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island facing significant financial losses. Officials across these states emphasize the unlawfulness of withholding Congress-approved funds and stress the urgent need for these resources to maintain vital community infrastructure and educational services. The lawsuits collectively challenge the Trump administration's authority to unilaterally cut or freeze funds without congressional approval, underscoring the potential widespread harm to disaster resilience and public education.