Rep. Mike Levin, Educators, & Students Sound the Alarm on How Federal Funding Cuts Would Cripple Education Programs, Devastate Research Institutions, & Impact Regional Economy
Rep. Levin holds field hearing at MiraCosta College concerning funding cuts to education programs
To watch the full hearing click here
Oceanside, CA - Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), educators, education professionals, and students held a field hearing at MiraCosta College to highlight how federal funding cuts proposed by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk would cripple education programs, devastate research institutions, and negatively impact Southern California’s economy. This comes as the Administration and Congressional Republicans seek to eliminate the Department of Education and cut crucial education and research grants in order to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and implement the Trump Administration’s dangerous agenda.
The federal funding cuts would harm students at every stage of their education, from Head Start programs to higher education. Rep. Levin highlighted that Trump and Musk are trying to cut Title I funding for low-income schools, schools meals, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs, Pell grants, funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and more.
Additionally, the Trump Administration’s recent guidance mandating a 15% cap across all the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants would result in cutting over $800 million in medical research funding for California universities, including over $100 million for UCSD. This means fewer life-saving cures for patients across the country and loss of jobs.
“Every kid deserves a fair shot, regardless of zip code and socioeconomic status,” said. Rep. Levin. “As the parent of two young children who attend Title I public schools, I know firsthand how critical federal funding is to ensure that every student and teacher has access to the resources they need. When education becomes scarce and resources diminish, students—from early childhood education to adult education—lose out on opportunities. While I am all for ensuring our government serves everyone, compromising desperately needed resources for public education is not the way to do it.”
Educators, students, school administrators, and other education professionals shared how funding cuts to special education programs, K-12 education, early childhood education, adult education, and research grants would negatively impact students, research institutions, and the local economy. Attendees included representatives from MiraCosta College, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Head Start, public school students, and educators, who all spoke about the importance of federal investments in education.
“Federal funding plays a vital role in ensuring high-quality education and workforce development. At MiraCosta, these investments directly support student success, strengthen the local workforce, and expand access to higher education. Our dedication to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and driving the regional economy remains unwavering,” said Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, Superintendent/President, MiraCosta College.
Additionally, the Trump Administration is threatening to completely dismantle the Department of Education. This is illegal—only Congress can eliminate federal agencies. The Department serves over 50 million students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools across the U.S. It also provides grant, loan, and work-study assistance to more than 12 million postsecondary students across the country. All these services and programs are at risk if the Department of Education is dismantled.
Rep. Levin has led several initiatives to deliver funding and support for public education in the 49th Congressional district. In 2023, legislation very similar to Rep. Levin’s bipartisan Stop Child Hunger Act became law and made permanent the Summer EBT program to provide meals to students during the summer months.
As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Levin oversees the allocation of funding across the federal government, including for Department of Education, and will continue to fight for resources to deliver results for the district.
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