A coalition of disability and education organizations sued the U.S. Department of Education and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, arguing nearly $2 billion in congressionally appropriated education research funds were withheld or not apportioned. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and targets programs housed in the Department’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), including National Center for Education Statistics, National Center for Education Research, and National Center for Special Education Research. Plaintiffs say delayed access to research grants and data collection limits what researchers, schools, and families can use for evidence-based practice. A spokesperson for the Education Department said the agency is committed to using appropriated funds to meet statutory obligations while supporting high-quality research; OMB did not respond. The suit also alleges violations of the Administrative Procedures Act, the Antideficiency Act, and the separation of powers. Plaintiffs are asking the court to ensure funds Congress appropriated are made available for spending, with claims the funds allocated for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 could expire later this year and in 2027. For higher education institutions that depend on IES grants for workforce development, disability research, and K-12 partnerships, the case raises near-term uncertainty about awards timelines and project continuity.