WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) pressed U.S. Secretary of Education Lisa McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to immediately release more than $6 billion in federal education funds, including $398 million for Florida public schools that serve public school students and train educators. Castor highlights that the Administration is arbitrarily and illegally withholding congressionally-appropriated dollars without warning, and the detrimental impact on Tampa Bay area schools, students and families as districts prepare for the new school year.

“The critical funding streams that are being withheld were approved by a bipartisan Congress to aid schools in training teachers, providing a well-rounded education, and supporting safe and healthy school and after-school initiatives,” wrote Rep. Castor. “This troubling delay of funding is unnecessarily disrupting budgeting and planning for the fast-approaching 2025-2026 academic school year, jeopardizing education initiatives for students and families and resulting in program cancellations.”

Castor closed, “I urge you to end the pause and immediately release these funds that are critical to our students, families, schools and the local economy in the Tampa Bay area.”

Rep. Castor’s letters detailed the harmful effects of the freeze in both Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, which together serve more than 300,000 students. Hillsborough County Public Schools face a potential $24.2 million loss, threatening initiatives like teacher mentoring, literacy training, safety monitors and tutoring. In Pinellas County, nearly $9 million is at risk, including funding for STEM innovation, gifted and talented programming, mental health counseling and college readiness initiatives.

Rep. Castor called on the Trump Administration officials to communicate clearly with local school districts and release the approved funds without delay to avoid canceled initiatives and uncertainty for students, educators and families.

Read the HCPS letter here and the PCS letter here.