Ranking Member Scott Slams ED for Approving of Iowa’s K-12 Funding Waiver, and Hamstring ED’s Authority to Hold States Accountable

Ranking Member Scott Slams ED for Approving of Iowa's K-12 Funding Waiver, and Hamstring ED's Authority to Hold States Accountable

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) Secretary, Linda McMahon approved Iowa's request to consolidate some federal aid into a single grant with little to no spending requirements.

"The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) includes bipartisan accountability measures to ensure states provide all children with high-quality education that is not limited by race, color, nationality, gender, ability, immigration status, or socioeconomic class. If states wish to receive funding for education, they must demonstrate to the federal government that they are meeting certain standards and providing high-quality education to all students.

"Secretary McMahon's decision to hamstring the Department of Education (ED) and unilaterally grant Iowa's request to waive accountability guardrails attached to federal dollars demonstrates the Trump administration's willingness to ignore the law and abandon marginalized students. Moreover, it risks perpetuating disparities and failing the very students ESEA is designed to protect.

"Prior to the formation of ED, states were not appropriately educating students with disabilities, they were not making strides to close racial achievement gaps, and they were not equitably distributing resources to schools in low-income areas. That is precisely why maintaining a federal role in education is so important, and 'returning education to the states' fails to learn from the mistakes of our past.

"Congress must not sit idly by as the Trump administration makes every effort to drag students, educators, and parents back into an era where students were denied the opportunities and resources they needed to succeed. And ED must refrain from granting any similar waivers to other states."

Background:

On May 8, 2025, Ranking Member Scott urged Secretary McMahon to reject any efforts by states to undermine the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which specifically directs funding to high-poverty schools, English as a Second Language programs, afterschool and summer learning, and more.

Today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED)approved Iowa's "Returning Education to the States" Waiver, making Iowa the first state to apply for and receive this type of flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). This comes after EDsent a Dear Colleague Letter to states in July encouraging states to seek flexibility where federal requirements limit effectiveness. The waiver allows Iowa to consolidate four federal funding streams and provides broader discretion over the use of federal education dollars through FY 2028. Additionally, ED granted Iowa authority to provide districts' waivers from certain federal requirements without seeking prior federal approval.

Under the approved waivers, Iowa may consolidate more than $9 million federal funds for various activities and programs, waive certain elements of Title I Parts A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) and D (Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent or At Risk) and Title IV and Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) spending and carryover limits, and allow greater flexibility in the use of Title I, Part D funds for transition services.

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