Republican Senators Push Bill to Abolish Department of Education by 2026
The proposed legislation follows President Trump's executive order to dismantle the federal agency, shifting education control to states and local communities.
- Senators Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Bernie Moreno introduced a bill to eliminate the Department of Education by December 31, 2026.
- The bill aims to decentralize education policy, transferring authority to states and local communities to empower parents and improve school quality.
- President Trump recently signed an executive order directing the department's closure, with workforce reductions and program transfers already underway.
- Critics, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, warn that dismantling the department could harm public schools, cut special education programs, and increase class sizes.
- The Department of Education, established in 1980, can only be eliminated with congressional approval, presenting significant legal and political challenges.