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HALIFAX – In response to the Trump administration’s announced freeze on billions in K–12 education funding and the United States Senate passage of House Resolution 1 – the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – North Carolina House Representative Rodney D. Pierce (D–Halifax) issued a statement on Tuesday, warning of the devastating consequences for children, families, and seniors in House District 27, which includes Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties.

“Let me be clear: These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. These are real lives. Children who will lose their teachers. Families who will lose their healthcare. Seniors who may be forced from their homes,” Pierce said.

He criticized the Trump administration’s decision to withhold critical education funds already approved by Congress earlier this year, including:

$890 million for English Learners (Title III);

$375 million for children of migrant farm workers;

$2.2 billion in teacher training and development (Title II-A);

$1.4 billion for after-school programs; and

$1.3 billion for STEM and academic enrichment.

“These funds are a lifeline for rural school districts like ours, which already face higher teacher turnover and deeper resource shortages. Pulling them back – after Congress allocated them – is not only cruel, but also unconstitutional,” said Pierce.

Pierce also slammed the passage of H.R. 1, which would impose sweeping cuts to Medicaid, threatening coverage for thousands of residents, including those recently covered under North Carolina’s 2023 Medicaid expansion. There are also cuts to SNAP benefits, putting local families at increased risk of food insecurity, and HUD rental assistance, jeopardizing affordable housing for many seniors and working-class families in the district.

“This bill dismantles the programs that rural communities rely on to survive. District 27 will be hit harder than most – because we are already dealing with underinvestment, health disparities, and housing instability,” said Pierce. “You can’t take food, healthcare, teachers, and housing away from rural North Carolinians and expect them to be silent.”

Pierce provided local numbers behind the local impact:

Medicaid: Up to 5,200 residents in District 27 risk losing healthcare, including newly covered adults.

SNAP: Over 7,000 families in Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties could see cuts to monthly food assistance.

Education: Dozens of local schools will lose support staff, after-school enrichment, and ESL programming if federal funds remain frozen.

“This is a moral moment,” said Pierce. “We can either stand up for our children, our elders, and our communities – or we can let them be sacrificed for political cruelty. I choose to stand.”