President Donald Trump is moving forward with a plan to dismantle the Department of Education, but this process will require approval from both chambers of Congress. Despite this intention, GOP lawmakers recently approved additional funding for the department in a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. Eliminating the Department of Education would involve passing legislation through the House and Senate, a process that may be challenging given the numerous laws in place that dictate the department’s functions and responsibilities.
In order to completely abolish the Education Department, Congress will need to pass legislation that either ends the department entirely or merges some of its functions with other agencies. This proposal must be approved by both the House and Senate, with the additional hurdle of overcoming a filibuster in the Senate which requires 60 votes. Given the current political climate, Democrats are unlikely to support such a measure, and some Republicans may also have reservations. While eliminating the department may not be feasible, the Trump administration may request “recissions” to cancel existing spending for the department, effectively gutting its funding and reducing its ability to operate effectively.
As Congress receives the Trump administration’s requests to cancel spending and considers funding for the Education Department in upcoming spending bills, the future of the department remains uncertain. Opponents of the department may attempt to “zero out” its funding, but this would also require 60 votes in the Senate to break a filibuster. With these challenges in mind, the chances of eliminating all funding for the Education Department are slim. Ultimately, the upcoming decisions made by lawmakers in the spring and summer regarding department funding will shed light on the potential fate of the Department of Education.
Despite President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, the process of abolishing the department is complex and requires approval from both the House and Senate. Recent actions by GOP lawmakers to maintain funding for the department indicate a reluctance to support its complete elimination. The existence of various laws mandating the department’s functions adds further complexity to the process, making it challenging to enact significant changes to the department’s structure. Additionally, the requirement of overcoming a filibuster in the Senate further complicates the prospects of passing legislation to end the Education Department.
While there may be calls to reduce or eliminate funding for the Education Department, the likelihood of such measures passing through Congress remains uncertain. The Trump administration’s request for “recissions” to cancel existing spending for the department may weaken its operations, but a complete elimination of funding presents significant obstacles. As Congress considers department funding in the upcoming spending bills, the future of the Department of Education will be closely watched. The legislative process involved in changing the department’s status, along with political dynamics within Congress, will play a crucial role in determining the fate of the Department of Education and the extent of potential changes to its structure and operations.
