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Welcome to The Logoff: As we speak, I’m specializing in the Trump administration’s determination to withhold practically $7 billion in federal schooling funding.
What simply occurred? The Trump administration refused to launch congressionally mandated funding to assist quite a lot of schooling initiatives: after-school and summer season packages, packages for college students who’re studying English, trainer coaching, classroom expertise, and extra.
The practically $7 billion was allotted to states and native colleges, and may have gone out on Tuesday. Its loss might be notably dangerous as a result of college districts have already made plans with the belief that the cash can be there, solely to have it pulled on the final minute.
What’s the administration saying? The Trump administration argues the withholding isn’t a freeze and is as a substitute as a result of the funds are below overview. However this argument is probably going a fig leaf, given the administration’s opposition to the packages in query and its earlier efforts to withhold funding for packages it disagrees with. What the administration seems to be doing is named impoundment — the choice to not spend cash that Congress has already appropriated for a selected function.
Can they try this? Not likely — however we’ll see how the courts rule, because the administration’s determination is nearly sure to be challenged in court docket. Although the president can request Congress withdraw funding — and making that request would set off a short lived freeze — the administration hasn’t completed so on this case.
What’s the large image right here? The Trump administration is waging a warfare in opposition to the congressional energy of the purse, led by Workplace of Administration and Funds director Russ Vought (of Undertaking 2025 fame).
The choice to withhold schooling funding is one among plenty of efforts to wrest spending energy from Congress, and current reporting suggests the administration is contemplating methods to step up its assault and problem restrictions on impoundment extra broadly. If it’s profitable, it will likely be a serious growth of Trump’s powers — and one other blow to Congress’s.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
I completely cherished this story from my colleague Bryan Walsh in regards to the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which simply final month shared its first pictures of the cosmos. The telescope itself is a scientific marvel that has already offered helpful information to researchers, however, as Bryan factors out, it’s additionally the “final perspective supplier,” a reminder of our place in an unlimited, stunning universe. I hope you take pleasure in his piece — and the images — as a lot as I did, and I’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
