McMahon and the Justice Department argued that taking back the money served the public interest, because taxpayer funds should be used for their intended purpose and the public health emergency from the pandemic had long passed. But in a March 28 letter, McMahon, a member of Republican President Donald Trump's cabinet, said states had ample time to spend the money, and allowing more time years after the pandemic ended was inconsistent with her department's priorities.

Washington had authorized about $190 billion of aid to help K-12 schools recover from the pandemic, with funds meant for tutoring students who fell behind, upgrades to school buildings, food for homeless students and other purposes. Other plaintiffs included attorneys general of Arizona, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. NEW YORK, May 6 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Manhattan blocked the Trump administration on Tuesday from canceling more than $1.1 billion in unspent aid meant to help U.S.

elementary and high schools address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.