WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led his Democratic colleagues in the New Jersey delegation in a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought and Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon to demand clarity regarding the Trump Administration’s unlawful decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in Congressionally Appropriated funding for K–12 and adult education programs nationwide, including over $162 million from the state of New Jersey. 

“On June 30, 2025, just one day before these funds were supposed to become available, the Department of Education abruptly informed states that they would not receive funding as scheduled on July 1… No timeline was given for when states could expect a resolution. Typically, the Department provides state educational agencies with the formula program allocation tables and access to draw down those funds by July 1, which allows states and districts to plan, budget, and begin spending for the upcoming school year. This decision is financially destabilizing school districts across the country and directly jeopardizes the operation of the upcoming school year,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“The withholding of these funds will have a widespread and detrimental impact on school communities throughout New Jersey, with disproportionate harm to high-need districts. The funds currently frozen represent almost 13 percent of the total federal K-12 funding that New Jersey schools received last year. Compounding this issue, New Jersey public school districts finalized their budgets for the 2025-2026 school year this past spring. Any loss of expected funding will create budget shortfalls, forcing districts to cut essential programs designed to serve students, their families, and educators,” the lawmakers continued. 

“Congress lawfully appropriated these funds to address critical education needs, including student achievement, after-school enrichment, teacher training, and adult literacy. Withholding these funds is a reckless decision that jeopardizes the education of millions of students, resulting in layoffs, program delays, disrupted planning cycles, and delayed hiring. This also deprives students, especially those in high-need districts, of key academic support. Our schools, teachers, families, and adult learners cannot afford continued uncertainty. We look forward to your prompt response and the immediate release of the funds,” the lawmakers concluded. 

To see a district by district breakdown of how the cuts will affect schools across America, click here. 

The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ-06), Robert Menendez (D-NJ-08), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Herbert Conaway Jr. (D-NJ-03), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11). 

To read the full text of the letter, click here.