Stop the Dismantling of the Department of Education

Congress must act immediately to halt the Trump administration’s plan to break apart the Department of Education. 

On November 18, the administration unveiled a sweeping restructuring that would shift major offices to other federal agencies — a move widely viewed as the first step toward dismantling the department entirely. This threatens essential federal protections that ensure equal access to education, enforce civil rights, and support both K–12 schools and higher education.

The Department of Education plays a critical role in protecting students with disabilities, safeguarding low-income students, upholding anti-discrimination laws, and managing the federal student loan system that millions rely on. 

News reports show that the proposed restructuring would scatter these responsibilities across agencies like Labor, Interior, State, and Health and Human Services, weakening oversight and creating confusion for families, educators, and borrowers. Lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, have warned that these steps may violate congressional authority and abandon students who depend on federal support.

If these actions move forward, decades of progress toward educational equity could be undone, with long-term consequences for students nationwide.

Call on Congress to block any transfers of authority or programs out of the Department of Education and hold urgent oversight hearings to stop the dismantling of federal education protections.