Senator Presses Education Secretary on Mental Health Grant Funding

September 11, 2026 - 00:50

Maine Senator Angus King has joined a group of Democratic lawmakers in demanding answers from Education Secretary Linda McMahon regarding the distribution of one billion dollars in youth mental health funding. The letter, signed by King and several of his colleagues, raises concerns about whether the department intends to release the money as Congress directed.

The funding was approved to help schools hire counselors, train staff, and expand mental health services for students across the country. Many districts have already planned their budgets around the expectation that these grants would arrive. Without the money, schools may be forced to cut programs or leave positions unfilled.

Lawmakers want McMahon to clarify the timeline for distributing the funds and explain any delays. They also asked whether the department has changed its criteria for which states and districts qualify. The letter notes that youth mental health needs have grown in recent years, and schools remain on the front lines of that crisis.

King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, has focused on rural education issues during his time in the Senate. He said schools in Maine and elsewhere cannot afford uncertainty when it comes to supporting students. The lawmakers requested a response from McMahon within two weeks.