A bill to terminate the Department of Education.
- Bill Number
- S. 1148
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T21:16:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, S. 1148, aims to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, a federal agency responsible for overseeing national education policies, funding, and programs. Its goal is to end the department's operations, potentially shifting education responsibilities to state and local governments.
Key Provisions
- Termination Date: The Department of Education will cease to exist on December 31, 2026.
- The bill is concise and does not specify details on how ongoing programs, assets, or personnel will be handled after termination.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This would repeal the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, which created the agency as a Cabinet-level department.
- It eliminates federal oversight of education at the national level, removing authority for programs like student loans, Title I funding for low-income schools, and special education grants under laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education, which employs about 4,000 people and manages a budget of around $80 billion annually, would be dissolved. Responsibilities might transfer to other agencies (e.g., Treasury for loans) or states, leading to administrative restructuring and potential job losses.
- On Citizens: Students, teachers, and families could face disruptions in federal aid, such as Pell Grants for college and support for K-12 education in underserved areas. States might need to fill funding gaps, possibly increasing local taxes or reducing services.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect U.S. involvement in global education initiatives, like UNESCO programs, by reducing federal coordination.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Employees: Thousands of Department of Education staff facing potential layoffs or reassignments.
- State and Local Governments: School districts and state education departments that rely on federal grants and guidelines.
- Educators and Students: Teachers, schools, universities, and millions of students dependent on federal funding and policies.
- Parents and Taxpayers: Families benefiting from or funding education programs; broader taxpayers who contribute to the federal education budget.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill's brevity raises questions about implementation, such as winding down contracts, transferring assets, and ensuring continuity for existing laws (e.g., student loan forgiveness programs). Courts might need to address challenges to abrupt termination.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the 10th Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government (like education) to the states, potentially reinforcing arguments for limited federal involvement.
- Political: Introduced by Senators Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Bernie Moreno, it reflects a push for reducing federal bureaucracy. Passage would require broad congressional support and could spark debates on education equity versus states' rights, likely facing opposition from education advocates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To terminate the Department of Education. — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (1 pages)