By COLLIN BINKLEY and ANNIE MA AP Education Writers
The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in grants to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs, the Education Department said Friday. President Donald Trump's administration had withheld over $6 billion in funding on July 1 as part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House's priorities. Officials later said the department would release $1.3 billion of the money for after-school programs, days after 10 Republican senators sent a letter imploring the administration to allow frozen education money to be sent to states. Friday's announcement releases the rest of the money.
The Education Department plans to release previously withheld grant money for after-school programs. This decision comes days after 10 Republican senators urged the Office of Management and Budget to release the funds. The Trump administration had withheld over $6 billion in grants on July 1, including $1.3 billion for after-school programs, as part of a spending review. On Wednesday, the senators emphasized that these programs have bipartisan support and are vital to local communities. They also said the funds did not support "radical left-wing programs." The Trump administration is continuing to review some education grants for left-wing bias.
