State Rep. Tim Kelly on Tuesday issued the following statement, sharply criticizing the Biden administration and state Superintendent Michael Rice for failing to ensure Michigan schools requested federal aid in a timely manner after the Trump administration canceled the Biden administration’s irresponsible extension of a COVID grant deadline:

“COVID exposed bureaucrats at the federal and state levels who treat students and taxpayers with contempt. Rather than pushing relief out the door efficiently — so schools and teachers could adapt and aid students trying to navigate closures and other challenges — the Biden administration’s haphazard handling of federal COVID grants encouraged delays and mismanagement. And Michigan’s top education bureaucrat aided and abetted this irresponsible slow-walking.

“The Michigan Department of Education exists to support local schools, including by sharing accurate information between school districts and the federal government. But Superintendent Rice didn’t make sure school leaders requested federal reimbursement on time. He was content to let them procrastinate, which put their funds in jeopardy. If Joe Biden or Kamala Harris were still in the White House, they probably would have extended the deadline again — anything to keep the gravy train alive.

“President Trump is bringing accountability back to our government. His administration ended Biden’s arbitrary delays while making sure schools duped by Biden and Rice can still apply for an extension. President Trump will make sure that federal dollars are delivering timely value for taxpayers and supporting students.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon last week informed state education officials that the federal Department of Education was revoking the Biden administration’s decision to arbitrarily extend the deadline for school officials to request reimbursement from federal COVID grant programs. While criticizing the Biden administration’s blanket extension, McMahon noted that the department will consider individual extensions on a project-specific basis.