Exclusive: Top House Education Leader Endorses Trump’s Push to Abolish Department of Education, Cites Challenges in Congressional Approval
In a significant development that could reshape the landscape of American education, Representative Tim Walberg, the Republican chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, has thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump’s potential move to abolish the federal Department of Education. However, Walberg also expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Congress backing such a drastic measure.
Walberg, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, stated, "I support him in the fact that we need to abolish the Department of Education, return education to the states, especially for K-12, and gain control of the higher-ed institutions and make them work."
Walberg’s endorsement of Trump’s stance comes at a time when conservative Republicans have long advocated for the elimination of the Department of Education, arguing that it oversteps its boundaries and infringes upon state and local control over education. Trump is reportedly considering signing an executive order to dismantle the department, a move that would undoubtedly ignite a fierce debate across the political spectrum.
However, Walberg tempered his enthusiasm by acknowledging the significant hurdles that such a proposal would face in Congress. He pointed to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for most legislation, indicating that Republicans would likely need to secure support from Democrats to pass a bill abolishing the department.
"Whether we can abolish it or not is the question," Walberg conceded. "It takes votes. The president can do executive orders, but they’ll be limited in time and scope. The votes aren’t there, I would think, to totally abolish the department in the Senate, at the very least."
Despite the challenges, Walberg suggested that Congress could still explore alternative approaches to reform and reshape the Department of Education. "So what can we do to de-power, to reform, to replace in such a way that, for the time being, we’ll make the system work? I think that’s the question that we have," he said.
Walberg’s remarks hint at a potential strategy of seeking incremental changes to the department’s structure and functions, rather than attempting a complete overhaul. This approach could involve reducing the department’s regulatory authority, streamlining its programs, and increasing state and local control over education.
The timing of these developments is noteworthy, as Trump’s expected executive order comes shortly after the Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as the new Secretary of Education. McMahon’s appointment suggests that Trump intends to prioritize education reform during his administration.
The Department of Education was established in its modern form in 1980, when then-President Jimmy Carter separated it from the Department of Health and Human Services. Since then, the department has played a significant role in shaping national education policy, administering federal education programs, and providing funding to states and local school districts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also weighed in on the issue, signaling his openness to abolishing the Department of Education. "The more we push control of education down to parents and local school boards and authorities, the better off we are," Johnson told reporters on Thursday.
Johnson’s comments align with the broader Republican emphasis on local control and parental involvement in education, which has become a central theme in the party’s education platform.
The potential abolition of the Department of Education has sparked strong reactions from various stakeholders in the education community. Supporters of the move argue that it would empower states and local communities to tailor education to their specific needs, reduce federal bureaucracy, and promote greater accountability.
Critics, on the other hand, contend that abolishing the department would undermine national education standards, weaken protections for vulnerable students, and exacerbate inequalities in access to quality education. They also argue that the department plays a crucial role in collecting data, conducting research, and disseminating best practices to improve education outcomes across the country.
The debate over the future of the Department of Education is likely to intensify in the coming months, as Trump’s administration moves forward with its plans to reshape the federal role in education. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for students, teachers, and schools across the nation.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Department of Education recently canceled $350 million in contracts and grants, citing concerns about "woke spending." This move has further fueled the debate over the department’s priorities and its role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
Furthermore, the Department of Education launched an "EndDEI" portal, which allows parents, students, and teachers to report instances of discrimination. This initiative has been praised by some as a means of ensuring fairness and equal opportunity in education, while others have criticized it as a politically motivated effort to stifle discussions about diversity and inclusion.
The combination of Trump’s push to abolish the Department of Education, the recent changes in the department’s leadership, and the controversies surrounding "woke spending" and the "EndDEI" portal has created a highly charged political environment that could significantly impact the future of education policy in the United States. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of this debate and its ultimate impact on the nation’s schools and students.
