Trump’s Education Overhaul Faces Challenges in Congress

WASHINGTON — House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg expressed support for President Donald Trump’s potential initiative to abolish the Department of Education, while also questioning Congress’s ability to rally support for such a plan during a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

Walberg, a Republican from Michigan, emphasized the need to return control of K-12 education to the states. “I support him in the fact that we need to abolish it, return education to the states, especially for K-12, and gain control of the higher-ed institutions and make them work,” he said. However, he acknowledged, “Whether we can abolish it or not is the question,” noting the Senate’s requirement for a 60-vote threshold for most legislation.

Walberg pointed out that Republicans may have to seek support from Democrats if the legislative move comes to fruition. “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,” he stated.

Despite the challenges, Walberg indicated that Congress could explore avenues for reforming the department. “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 added.

Linda McMahon was recently confirmed as the new secretary of education, which underscores the administration’s steady progression on this issue. Trump’s anticipated decision to sign an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education is a long-standing goal for many Republicans.

The Department of Education, in its current incarnation, was established in 1980 when former President Jimmy Carter separated it from the Department of Health and Human Services. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, expressed support for the abolition during comments to reporters, advocating for more localized control of education. “The more we push control of education down to parents and local school boards and authorities, the better off we are,” Johnson remarked.

While discussions continue surrounding Trump’s proposed education reform, opponents, including Senate Democrats, have voiced concerns over the ramifications such actions could pose for student support systems. Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a prominent opponent of Trump’s education policies, stressed the negative impact of dismantling the Department of Education.

“It does not take a former teacher to tell you how obliterating the Department of Education hurts students,” Murray declared, adding that Trump and prominent supporters do not appreciate the importance of resources for local public schools.

Murray has criticized Trump’s purported plans to alter the department, asserting that the move would obstruct educational progress and access for many students. “They don’t care what they can legally do—they will act first and not care about the consequences,” she argued.

The ongoing debate about the future of the Department of Education highlights significant political divides within Congress on the matter. While some lawmakers advocate for increased control at state and local levels, others emphasize the need for a federal framework to ensure equitable access to education for all students.

As the Trump administration continues its push for reform, the conversations surrounding education remain pivotal in shaping the future landscape of public education in the United States.