Dive Brief:
- The Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 by withholding funds meant for early childhood education Head Start programs, according to a decision issued Wednesday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an independent federal watchdog organization.
- GAO cited several actions taken by the Trump administration from January through April that strained the Head Start system, including delays in expected federal funding and reduced funding levels intended by Congress as compared to the year before. Data shows that the federal government gave about $825 million less to Head Start grant recipients between Jan. 20, 2025, and April 15, 2025 — a 34% dip compared to the same period the year before.
- The Head Start program has also been challenged this year with other federal policy changes not mentioned in the GAO report. Those include widespread layoffs that reduced the number of regional Head Start offices from 10 to five and a policy requiring immigration status verification for Head Start participation.
Dive Insight:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Head Start program, did not provide GAO factual information or its legal views concerning the potential impoundment of appropriated funds, according to the office's report. While GAO can investigate, audit and provide legal decisions about federal government activities, it does not carry out enforcement actions.
On Wednesday, an HHS spokesperson told K-12 Dive in an email the agency did not impound Head Start funds and disputes GAO's conclusion. "GAO should anticipate a forthcoming response from HHS to incorporate into an updated report," the spokesperson said.
The Impoundment Control Act allows a president to withhold congressionally approved funds, but only under limited circumstances, GAO said. The office added that the Head Start Act also requires funds to be disbursed except in emergency or other specific circumstances.
The Trump administration has been reducing the size and scope of the federal government in an effort to bring more decision-making power to the state and local levels, supporters say.
Yasmina Vinci, executive director for the National Head Start Association, which advocates for Head Start families, said in an email Wednesday to K-12 Dive that data shows HHS has increased disbursements for fiscal year 2025 Head Start grant funding and recently released amounts that are comparable to those made during the same period in FY 2024.
Vinci added that the association is "grateful that so many are standing up for Head Start, recognizing the vital role it plays in communities across the country."
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement Wednesday, "Because of Trump’s illegal impoundment of this funding that Congress provided, we have seen Head Start centers temporarily close, families scramble to make alternate plans, and needless stress and panic in communities nationwide — including in Washington state."
Head Start, which turned 60 in May, serves nearly 800,000 infants, toddlers and preschool children from families with low incomes. More than 17,000 Head Start centers operate nationwide. A companion Early Head Start program provides prenatal services.
GAO said it is monitoring ongoing litigation challenging the Trump administration’s actions and will update its decision if needed based on facts from court findings.
