WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ten Republican U.S. senators wrote a letter to President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday urging it to reverse its decision to withhold $6.8 billion in congressionally approved federal funding for K-12 schools.

The unusual challenge to the president from lawmakers within his party offers the clearest sign of dissent to-date from within conservative ranks after the Education Department halted the distribution of roughly $7 billion in grants.

Stocks plummeted when a series of reports indicated president Donald Trump was close to firing the Fed chair. They soared once he denied them.