Weekly Update 07/14/2025
President and Administration:
Supreme Court allows Trump mass layoff and restructuring plans: On Tuesday, 7/8, the Supreme Court ruled to lift a lower court’s block on plans to dismiss thousands of federal workers without prior congressional…
Administration leaves Congress in dark on spending decisions: More than $6 billion in education funding remains on hold by the administration, leaving school districts uncertain as they prepare for the new school year. The Office of Management and Budget has attributed the delay to a programmatic review…
In flooded Texas, questions about FEMA’s role and fate: While FEMA did deploy personnel to the flooded Texas region following flash floods over the July 4 weekend, current and former officials maintain that the federal response has been limited compared to the state’s…
Congress:
GOP leader faces showdown with Republicans on Trump-backed funding cuts: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) faces opposition from several Republican senators this week over a House-approved rescissions package that proposes cutting $9.4 billion…
California:
Newsom excites red-state Democrats, but some worry about a Californian: California Governor Gavin Newsom toured rural counties in South Carolina this week, energizing Democrats and drawing attention to federal disaster relief needs while continuing to deflect questions about a potential…
Justice Department sues California over transgender athlete policy: On Wednesday, 7/9, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against California over its policy allowing transgender girls…
Education:
Supreme Court clears way for dismantling of Education Department: In a major victory for the administration, the Supreme Court on Monday (7/14) allowed it to fire thousands of Education Department employees, functionally eliminating the agency…
School districts grapple with ‘budgetary chaos’ in wake of federal funding freeze: The U.S. Department of Education has delayed the release of $6.2 billion in federal K-12 grant funding, prompting concern…
USDA reverses guidance protecting LGBTQ students against discrimination in school meals: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reversed a Biden-era policy that extended anti-discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation to school meal…
Education Department dismisses thousands of civil rights complaints at an ‘unheard of’ pace: The U.S. Department of Education has dismissed thousands of civil rights complaints in recent months, raising concerns among advocates and former officials about…