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3h ago

GAO Says Education Department Paid Up to $38 Million to Sideline Civil Rights Staff

The report finds the agency lacks evidence that the 2025 cuts to its civil-rights office improved efficiency.

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The Education Department recently reversed layoffs that occurred last year at its Office for Civil Rights.

Overview

  • GAO estimates the department spent $28.5 million to $38 million paying Office for Civil Rights employees on leave from March through December 2025.
  • The March 2025 reduction in force removed 299 of OCR’s 575 positions and closed seven of 12 regional offices as part of a broader downsizing effort.
  • During that span, OCR received more than 9,000 discrimination complaints, resolved about 7,000, and dismissed roughly 90% of the resolved cases.
  • GAO says Education failed to document required cost-and-savings analyses and cannot show the actions enhanced productivity, while officials argue the rescinded layoffs make further estimates unnecessary and say they briefed OMB orally.
  • After court injunctions and litigation delays, the department brought back 85 OCR staff in December and rescinded remaining RIF notices in January, with watchdog scrutiny continuing.