Trump Administration Agrees to Unfreeze Child Nutrition Funds for Maine
PORTLAND, Maine — In a significant turnaround, President Donald Trump’s administration has agreed to lift the freeze on federal funds earmarked for Maine’s child nutrition program. This decision comes after a legal dispute ignited by a disagreement over the state’s compliance with Title IX, concerning transgender athletes.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced that as a result of this resolution, the state will withdraw its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Frey expressed his frustrations, stating, “It’s unfortunate that my office had to resort to federal court just to get USDA to comply with the law and its own regulations. But we are pleased that the lawsuit has now been resolved, and that Maine will continue to receive funds as directed by Congress to feed children and vulnerable adults.”
The conflict began when the USDA halted funds for Maine’s schools following Secretary Brooke Rollins’ assertion that the state was not meeting federal standards regarding Title IX. The hold-up prevented Maine’s Department of Education from accessing crucial federal resources, sparking a lawsuit to reclaim over $1.8 million for the current fiscal year, alongside additional funds exceeding $900,000 from prior allocations.
A federal judge had previously sided with Maine, indicating that the state was likely to succeed in its case against the administration. Following this ruling, the USDA’s decision to unfreeze the funds marks a crucial victory for Maine’s child nutrition initiatives. Moving forward, the state anticipates the allocation of approximately $3 million typically awarded for summer meal program administration and food reimbursement.
This resolution underscores the ongoing tensions between state and federal policies, particularly regarding education and inclusivity regulations.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
