Senators Introduce Bill to Eliminate Education Department

Senate Republicans introduce a bill to abolish the Department of Education, fulfilling Trump’s pledge to dismantle federal control over America’s education system.

Key Takeaways

Republican senators Mike Rounds, Jim Banks, and Tim Sheehy have introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” to eliminate the Department of Education.
The bill would redistribute the department’s $200 billion budget and responsibilities to other federal agencies and state governments.
The legislation follows President Trump’s executive order aimed at beginning the dismantling process of the Education Department.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon supports the effort, which aligns with longstanding Republican goals dating back to Reagan’s presidency.
The bill requires 60 votes to pass in the Senate unless pursued through budget reconciliation, which would require only 50 votes.

Republicans Take Legislative Action to Fulfill Trump’s Education Promise

Following through on President Trump’s executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, Republican senators have formally introduced legislation that would abolish the federal agency entirely. The “Returning Education to Our States Act,” spearheaded by Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota with co-sponsors Jim Banks and Tim Sheehy, aims to redistribute approximately $200 billion in funding and responsibilities currently under the department’s purview to other federal agencies and state governments.

The introduction of this bill represents a significant step toward fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise to reduce federal influence over education. The legislation aligns with the administration’s broader goal of decentralizing educational authority and returning control to state and local governments, a position that has been a cornerstone of conservative education policy for decades.

Redistribution of Responsibilities

Under the proposed legislation, the Department of Education’s various functions would be strategically reassigned to other federal agencies. Federal student loans would transfer to the Treasury Department, while programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would move to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Fulbright-Hays Program would be placed under the State Department’s jurisdiction, and additional responsibilities would shift to the Departments of Interior, Labor, Defense, and Justice.

“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic department that causes more harm than good,” said Senator Mike Rounds.

The bill also seeks to reduce standardized testing requirements and grant schools greater autonomy over teacher certification and professional development standards. These changes reflect the Republican belief that education decisions should be made at the local level rather than through federal mandates from Washington.

Presidential Support and Administrative Actions

President Trump has already taken executive action to begin downsizing the Department of Education, which was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the department. The administration has already announced plans to cut approximately half of the department’s 4,400-person workforce, making it the smallest of any cabinet-level department.

“For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I’m pleased that president-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year,” Senator Rounds stated.

Legislative Hurdles and Opposition

Despite Republican enthusiasm, the bill faces significant legislative hurdles. While Senator Rounds has suggested the legislation could pass with 50 votes through the budget reconciliation process, traditional legislation would require a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate. Previous attempts to abolish the department have failed in Congress, including a House vote during Trump’s first term

Education policy experts have expressed concerns about potential impacts on special education services and civil rights protections currently enforced by the federal department. The department currently manages over $1.5 trillion in student loans for more than 40 million Americans and oversees critical programs for low-income students and those with disabilities.

“I think if the public understood it and knew about it, they wouldn’t be for taking away supports to help some of the most marginalized children in our country,” said David DeMatthews, an education policy expert critical of the proposal.

The bill will be debated in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions before potentially moving to the full Senate for consideration. With Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress, supporters believe this represents the best opportunity in decades to achieve their long-held goal of eliminating the federal Department of Education.