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HARRISBURG, PA (July 3, 2025) — The U.S. House of Representatives approved a massive budget reconciliation bill that includes hundreds of billions in funding cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other federal programs to help pay for tax cuts heavily benefiting billionaires and the super wealthy and a new multi-billion dollar private school voucher program. The bill now goes to President Trump.
“It is heartbreaking to see Congress embrace a budget bill that strips meals and health care away from children and families to fund massive tax breaks for the super wealthy and an unaccountable private school voucher program,” said Aaron Chapin, the president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
“There is no way that Pennsylvania or any other state can backfill the loss of billions in federal funding included in this bill. Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians will go hungry. Even more will lose their health care and not be able to see a doctor when they get sick.
“On top of that, public schools will lose funding they now receive through Medicaid to provide health-related services to students, and billions will be diverted from public education to fund an unaccountable private school voucher program.”
Also this week, the Trump administration illegally “impounded” almost $6.9 billion in federal K-12 education funding, normally released to states on July 1. This includes more than $230 million owed to Pennsylvania to help provide curriculum, technology, and other critical student services. The funds were approved by Congress in a continuing resolution passed in March, which President Trump signed, extending previous funding levels through fiscal year 2025.
“The Trump administration’s decision to illegally freeze $230 million in federal education funding due to Pennsylvania risks services that students depend on every day,” Chapin said. “Without these funds, schools could be forced to slash reading and math supports, summer and after-school programs, and support for migrant students and English learners. In the long term, educators could face layoffs leading to significantly larger class sizes.
“Pennsylvania’s educators and support professionals will continue to do everything they can to help meet the basic needs of our students and ensure their success in the classroom. But without access to health care or nutritious meals, and with fewer resources for their schools, too many students will suffer, miss out on important learning opportunities, and fall behind.”
Chapin is a Stroudsburg Area middle school teacher and president of PSEA. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, aspiring educators, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.
