Attorney General Jason Miyares refused to join a suit with 24 states and the District of Columbia to fight against the Trump administration’s pause on education funding for after-school programs, along with other specialized instruction. 

“Jason Miyares’ refusal to join over two dozen states in standing up for working families proves once again that he will always defend Donald Trump’s unlawful, reckless, and extreme agenda that hurts thousands of parents and children across our Commonwealth,” said DPVA Communications Director Kelsey Carolan. “As Attorney General, Jay Jones will fight for the care and education every child and family deserves access to – and that’s why Virginia families will choose him over Miyares’ MAGA extremism this November.

On Sunday, ABC 13 News reported on how the funding pause is threatening to shut down programs across Southwest Virginia.

ABC 13 News: Federal funding pause threatens Virginia after-school programs

• The Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia is facing a financial crisis after a $6 billion pause in Department of Education funds, initially set for release on July 1. This funding, which includes $108 million earmarked for Virginia schools, is crucial for the club, which relies on federal support for 60% of its budget.

• Daphne Sargent, Unit Director at the Vinton Boys and Girls Club, expressed concern, stating, ‘Without the funding, it would, um, we would not be able to open our doors.’

• Senator Tim Kaine addressed the issue at Virginia Baptist Church in Vinton, which doubles as a Boys and Girls Club during the week. ‘You can't take 60 percent of the funding away without just dramatically shrinking the program. We don't know why the funding was paused; it was part of the budget. It was appropriated, a deal is a deal. It should come to Virginia and it should come to these programs,’ said Kaine.

• Parents, like Landon Kincer, are worried about the potential loss of this vital resource. ‘If it's just ripped away from us, it just kind of leaves a gap and we have to fill that gap with something, so it's a little stressful,’ Kincer said.

• Another parent, Melanie Shanks, emphasized the club's role in her child's education and social development, as well as its importance as free child care that allows her to work. ‘It's a place where he can go after school when I'm working, because I'm a single mom, so it is tough,’ she said.