White House Pulls Nearly $100 Million from Education Programs via Late-Year ‘Pocket Rescissions’

# What happened Late in the federal fiscal year, the White House announced an $810 million package of so-called "pocket rescissions"—last-minute cancellations of congressionally appropriated funds. The package includes nearly $100 million aimed at Department of Education programs: $70 million of the $85 million Congress approved for International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE), and $25 million of the $52 million set aside for two migratory-student programs, HEP and CAMP.

# Why the rescissions matter for education

# Legal challenge: GAO letter On Sept. 29, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sent a letter to congressional leaders affirming its prior view that pocket rescissions of this type are illegal. GAO's general counsel wrote that the President may not force the expiration of budget authority that Congress enacted and did not rescind. That legal opinion directly challenges the administration's use of this mechanism.

# Administration rationale and disputed claims

# Recent history of targeting these programs Department previously sought to eliminate annual funding for IFLE and HEP-CAMP. In the prior fiscal year, the department canceled active IFLE awards and reprogrammed the $85 million appropriation to grants for historically Black colleges and universities and tribal institutions. This pattern shows recurring administrative moves to reduce or redirect funds for these line items despite congressional decisions to maintain funding.

# Political response Republican and Democratic senators quickly criticized the pocket rescissions. Sen. Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate appropriations panel, called the action illegal and said the Office of Management and Budget does not get to decide which programs to fund. Lawmakers on both sides raised concerns about preserving Congress's constitutional power of the purse.

# Practical impact for schools and students Institutions that applied for grants now at risk spent staff time preparing proposals. Programs that provide GED preparation and pathways to college for migratory students face reduced capacity, particularly affecting rural and low-income communities. The cancellation of IFLE funds also reduces federal support for college-level foreign-language instruction and university-based resource centers that support K–12 language teachers.

# What to watch next Expect congressional pushback and potential legal challenges after GAO's letter. Watch whether Congress moves to rescind the administration's rescission notices or files suits to block the action. For educators and grantees, track grant-award notices and OMB communications to confirm which competitions and awards will proceed and which are canceled.