H.R.847 - Building Lasting Opportunities for Community K–12 Act; BLOCK Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.847, also known as the BLOCK Act, proposes to repeal several formula grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and replace them with block grants to states. The bill stipulates that starting in fiscal year 2026, states will receive block grants equivalent to the funding they received in fiscal year 2025 under the repealed programs, unless otherwise appropriated by Congress. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 31, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
The affected programs include grants for local educational agencies, state assessments, migrant education, neglected and delinquent children, teacher support, English language acquisition, student support, 21st-century community learning centers, rural education, and Indian education formula grants. The definition of "State" includes the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
This shift aims to provide states with greater flexibility in allocating federal education funds, potentially leading to more localized control over educational priorities.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of the BLOCK Act would be to consolidate several federal education funding streams into a single block grant for each state. This would give states more autonomy in deciding how to allocate these funds within their education systems.
Specifically, states would have the discretion to prioritize different educational needs and programs based on their unique circumstances. The Act could also lead to a reduction in federal oversight and administrative burden associated with the previously categorical grants.
Potential Benefits
- Increased state flexibility in allocating education funds.
- Potential for more efficient use of resources based on local needs.
- Reduced federal oversight and administrative burden.
- Opportunity for states to innovate and implement customized educational programs.
- Possible streamlining of the grant application process for states.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for unequal distribution of resources among different student populations.
- Risk of reduced funding for specific programs, such as migrant education or English language acquisition.
- Possible lack of accountability and transparency in how states allocate the block grant funds.
- Potential for states to divert funds to non-educational purposes.
- Decreased federal oversight may lead to less emphasis on national education priorities.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Constitution grants Congress the power to tax and spend for the general welfare (Article I, Section 8). The BLOCK Act, by reallocating federal funds for education, falls under this power. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and this bill increases state control over education, potentially aligning with the principles of federalism.
However, the Constitution does not explicitly address education, leaving it primarily to the states. The shift to block grants respects state autonomy, but Congress must ensure that the funds are used in a manner consistent with the general welfare clause.
There are no apparent violations of individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights. The Act does not infringe upon freedom of speech, religion, or any other protected right.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).