Resolution condemns any executive or congressional action to dismantle the Department of Education, highlights historical role of federal government in public education
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led 18 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s recent illegal executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. In addition to condemning this move to gut the agency, the resolution also blasts actions to reduce federal public education funding and the freezing of federal education grant funding, and it highlights the importance of public schools in providing opportunities for all children across to succeed.
“President Donald Trump’s illegal attempt to dismantle the Department of Education will have disastrous consequences for our schools. It will harm all students, but particularly those reliant on special education and families depending on financial aid for college,” said Senator Schiff. “I will be doing everything I can to fight the elimination of these vital services to a whole generation of young people.”
“This resolution underscores the federal government’s critical role in safeguarding public education and enhancing student outcomes. Without funding provided by Congress and managed by the Department of Education, states will lack the necessary resources and guidance to ensure every student receives a high-quality education. Despite recent efforts by the administration to weaken the Department, this resolution firmly establishes that only Congress has the constitutional authority to make significant changes to the agency—whether that involves eliminating it, altering its statutory responsibilities, or transferring programs elsewhere,” said Weadé James, senior director for K-12 Education Policy at American Progress.
“The U.S. Department of Education was created to ensure equal access to education for all Americans. Programs and funding streams administered by the department serve students, families and schools that need it most,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. “Dismantling the department breaks America’s promise of education for all children and is a severe threat to ensuring every child has every opportunity to reach their full potential. Our association applauds Senators Schiff, Shaheen and Sanders for introducing a companion to Representative Bonamici’s resolution to protect the critical role of the U.S. Department of Education and the right of public education for all students and families.”
This resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and has over 100 co-sponsors.
The resolution is endorsed by A Way Home America, American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Center for American Progress (CAP), the Council of Administrators of Special Education, the Council of the Great City Schools, The Education Trust (EdTrust), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), the National Education Association (NEA), the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and SchoolHouse Connection.
Read the full text of the resolution here.
###