Trump’s push to close the Education Department has a math problem in Congress
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that calls for closing the Department of Education, prompting mixed reactions from members of Congress.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that calls for closing the Department of Education, prompting mixed reactions from members of Congress.The split screen underscores the legislative hurdles to come as Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise. Trump needs Congressional approval to fully dismantle the Education Department. He would almost certainly need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a procedural hurdle. That means the Republican majority needs at least seven Democrats to get on board.But so far, Senate Democrats have responded with swift backlash. “Attempting to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, who serves on the committee that oversees education policy, said in a statement, “The President’s decision today to dismantle the Department of Education will hurt our children and leave them less prepared for the future, just at a time when America should be working across party lines to strengthen our schools, families, and teachers.” Trump’s push won support from key Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. “I agree with President Trump that the Department of Education has failed its mission,” Cassidy said. “Since the Department can only be shut down with Congressional approval, I will support the President’s goals by submitting legislation to accomplish this as soon as possible.”Prior to Thursday’s order, the Trump administration had already cut roughly half of the agency’s staff through buyout offers or layoffs. However, the White House says it will maintain the Education Department’s “core necessities” like funding for low-income schools, students with disabilities, and Pell Grants.Education Secretary Linda McMahon told reporters Thursday evening that she’s looking into moving other key functions, like civil rights enforcement, elsewhere in the federal government. “Well, certainly the executive order did not specify what happens with any of the departments within education, so we are looking at where best those departments could be located,” McMahon said. “The Department of Justice already has a civil rights office. I think that there is an opportunity to discuss with Attorney General Bondi about locating some of our civil rights work there.”As McMahon considers the next steps, opponents are promising to fight back in court, including a prominent teachers union.”See you in court,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.
WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that calls for closing the Department of Education, prompting mixed reactions from members of Congress.
The split screen underscores the legislative hurdles to come as Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise.
Trump needs Congressional approval to fully dismantle the Education Department. He would almost certainly need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a procedural hurdle. That means the Republican majority needs at least seven Democrats to get on board.
But so far, Senate Democrats have responded with swift backlash.
“Attempting to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, who serves on the committee that oversees education policy, said in a statement, “The President’s decision today to dismantle the Department of Education will hurt our children and leave them less prepared for the future, just at a time when America should be working across party lines to strengthen our schools, families, and teachers.”
Trump’s push won support from key Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
“I agree with President Trump that the Department of Education has failed its mission,” Cassidy said. “Since the Department can only be shut down with Congressional approval, I will support the President’s goals by submitting legislation to accomplish this as soon as possible.”
Prior to Thursday’s order, the Trump administration had already cut roughly half of the agency’s staff through buyout offers or layoffs.
However, the White House says it will maintain the Education Department’s “core necessities” like funding for low-income schools, students with disabilities, and Pell Grants.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon told reporters Thursday evening that she’s looking into moving other key functions, like civil rights enforcement, elsewhere in the federal government.
“Well, certainly the executive order did not specify what happens with any of the departments within education, so we are looking at where best those departments could be located,” McMahon said. “The Department of Justice already has a civil rights office. I think that there is an opportunity to discuss with Attorney General Bondi about locating some of our civil rights work there.”
As McMahon considers the next steps, opponents are promising to fight back in court, including a prominent teachers union.
“See you in court,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.
