A federal judge, John Woodcock, has ordered the US President, Donald Trump administration to unfreeze crucial federal funding meant for Maine’s child nutrition programs.
Recall that the Maine’s child nutrition programs was suspended amid a political standoff over transgender athlete participation in school sports.
However, Woodcock issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, siding with Maine’s state officials who argued that withholding the money was unlawful and harmed school children.
The dispute started when the Trump administration moved to punish Maine for its refusal to enforce an executive order banning transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports teams.
The US government cited alleged violations of Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education, according to news agency AP.
The funding in question, which exceeds $1.8 million for the current fiscal year, covers administrative and technological support for school meal programs, with another $3 million anticipated in July for summer meal reimbursements.
But according to court filings, more than $900,000 from prior year grants is also inaccessible because of the freeze.
The lawsuit, filed by Maine attorney general Aaron Frey, argued that the department of agriculture had bypassed required procedures before freezing the funds.
