Impeaching Linda M. McMahon, Secretary of Education, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1391
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T20:59:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This resolution impeaches Linda M. McMahon, Secretary of Education, for high crimes and misdemeanors under the U.S. Constitution's impeachment clause. It accuses her of violating her oath of office by failing to uphold federal law and the Department of Education Organization Act.
Key Provisions The resolution presents three articles of impeachment:
- Article I: Willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law
Alleges that McMahon approved multiple interagency agreements transferring statutory functions from the Department of Education to other agencies (Labor, Health and Human Services, State, Interior, and Justice). Specific transfers involved offices for Elementary and Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, Career/Technical/Adult Education, Special Education, Civil Rights, and Indian Education. These actions are said to violate sections 203–207 and 215 of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). The article cites her public statements about intending to permanently close the department as evidence of willful intent.
- Article II: False statements before Congress
Claims McMahon made false statements during her February 13, 2025, Senate confirmation hearing by repeatedly assuring senators that all congressionally appropriated funds would be disbursed according to statute. The article contrasts these statements with subsequent actions, including cancellation of contracts (e.g., Regional Educational Laboratories, TRIO grants) and termination of grants totaling over $1.5 billion under laws such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Higher Education Act, and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
- Article III: Breach of public trust
States that McMahon oversaw the termination of approximately 2,000 Department of Education employees (roughly half the workforce) through two reductions in force. These staffing cuts allegedly caused delays in disbursing congressionally authorized funding for programs including Migrant Education, TRIO, Adult Basic Education, and others under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Higher Education Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The resolution does not amend any statutes. It seeks to enforce existing law by alleging violations of the Department of Education Organization Act and asserting that statutory functions cannot be reassigned or the department eliminated without congressional action.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could disrupt Department of Education operations, affect interagency agreements, and lead to Senate trial proceedings if the House adopts the resolution.
- On citizens and education programs: Continued or expanded delays in federal education funding and services for schools, colleges, and students.
- On international relations: Limited direct effect, though transfers involving the Department of State are referenced in Article I.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Linda M. McMahon (as the subject of impeachment).
- The Department of Education and its employees.
- Congress (House Judiciary Committee and full House for consideration; Senate for potential trial).
- Educational institutions, states, and recipients of federal education grants and programs.
- Other federal agencies (Labor, HHS, Justice, State, Interior) involved in the alleged transfers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Exercises the House's sole power of impeachment for "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" and references the requirement for conviction by the Senate for removal.
- Legal: Centers on whether executive actions transferring statutory functions without new legislation violate the Department of Education Organization Act.
- Political: Frames the transfers and staffing reductions as an attempt to dismantle a congressionally created agency without legislative approval.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (19)
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-25: Submitted in House
- 2026-06-25: Submitted in House
- 2026-06-25: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Impeaching Linda M. McMahon, Secretary of Education, for high crimes and misdemeanors. — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (18 pages)