A new bill introduced by the Republican chair of the House Education Committee faces significant obstacles to becoming law.
White House says government shutdown ‘proved’ Education Department was unnecessary
Second Linda McMahon announced that the Department of Education would partner with other government agencies to outsource many of its functions.
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans announced a bill Thursday, July 9, that would enact much of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education.
The 10 bills that would split up the agency’s functions and formally transfer them to other branches of the federal government are likely to actually pass both chambers, especially before the November midterm elections.
The bill still emphasizes the perception by Republican lawmakers and even Education Department officials, including Secretary Linda McMahon, that President Trump would need approval from Congress to formally abolish the department.
“This bill transfers key statutory powers to agencies that can better carry them out, while maintaining continuity for students and stakeholders,” Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., who chairs the House Education Committee, said in a statement. Mr. McMahon hailed the bill as a “historic step.”
Even as the Trump administration faces legal obstacles to shrinking government agencies, federal officials pressed ahead with their campaign promise anyway. The department’s workforce was cut in half last year, and the Supreme Court ultimately allowed the layoffs to continue. Since then, Mr. McMahon has struck deals with several other agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services, to transfer jobs and staff to other parts of the government.
“We thank Chairman Wahlberg and House Republicans for introducing legislation that codifies these common-sense partnerships,” Education Department spokeswoman Ellen Keast said in a statement. “Secretary McMahon has said all along that these partnerships are proof of concept.”
Democrats and Education Department unions have repeatedly denounced these changes, arguing they would only increase bureaucracy, not reduce it, and harm students and schools. Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and the ranking member of the House Education Committee, accused the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers of trying to hand over important government jobs to agencies that are “ill-equipped to perform their core duties.”
“This will weaken educational opportunities and workforce preparation services for millions of Americans,” Scott said. “The American people will bear the brunt of these disastrous policies promoted by the Republican Party.”
There are many obstacles to moving Wahlberg’s bill forward. First, the House has struggled to pass most legislation in recent days, as Republican infighting has frozen the legislative schedule for weeks. Lawmakers will be on leave for much of August and October, but with only weeks left to vote before midterm elections, the balance of power in Congress could be restructured.
Even if the bill passes the House, it would need to go to the Senate, where it would need at least some Democratic support to avoid a filibuster.
Zachary Schermele is USA TODAY’s Congressional Correspondent. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him at @ZachSchermele on X and @zachschermele.bsky.social on Bluesky..
