DeLauro Statement on New $3 Billion Emergency Education Relief Fund

NEW HAVEN, CT — (April 14, 2020)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Education (ED), today released the following statement after ED announced the availability of $3 billion in emergency education relief funding for states through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund will allow states to provide emergency support to school districts, institutions of higher education, and other education-related entities that are carrying out emergency education services. In addition to authorized educational activities, funds can be used for child care, early childhood education, social and emotional support, and protecting education-related jobs.

"Students and families are struggling to make ends meet as we deal with the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis," said DeLauro. "My constituents and people across the country are having a tougher time than ever trying to keep food on the table and pay their bills. The distribution of this $3 billion in aid will help those who have been affected by school closures. Nevertheless, while Congress's coronavirus response relief packages were passed expeditiously over the last two months, more than $20 billion in funding we provided to the Department of Education is still sitting on the sidelines. People need help now, and time is of the essence. I will continue to urge Secretary DeVos to expedite the release of that critical funding."

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