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Representative Sharice Davids is calling on U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to immediately release federal funding owed to the Kansas Forest Service (KFS). Although Congress approved the funds nearly five months ago, the Trump Administration has yet to distribute them.

KFS relies on federal support for 60–80% of its annual budget. Without the funds, the agency faces significant statewide cuts. The delayed funding supports firefighter training, rural fire departments, forest health programs, urban tree-planting, and invasive species control.

Davids’ letter also raises concerns about broader trends under the Trump Administration, including a proposed 35% cut to the Forest Service budget, threats to block approved spending through “pocket rescissions,” and the sudden cancellation of a $1 million tree-planting grant in Olathe.

With less than two months left in the fiscal year, Davids warns that continued delays could force KFS to scale back or eliminate critical services. She urges the administration to stop using red tape to withhold resources already approved by Congress and deliver the support Kansans need.