politicsconservative
Education Department Faces Big Fight Over Its Future
Washington DC, USASunday, March 22, 2026
Opponents, including teachers’ unions and families who rely on programs like student loans and special‑needs services, argue that the department is essential for equal opportunity. A senator from Maryland warned that attacking public education undermines a core American value.
Meanwhile, conservatives have made agreements with other agencies to take over parts of the department’s work. For example, the Labor Department will co‑manage elementary and secondary education offices, while Health and Human Services will handle child‑care grants. These agreements make it easier to dismantle the agency later, because many programs already live elsewhere.
The secretary cannot stop federal programs like Title I or the student‑loan system, but she has moved some loan responsibilities to Treasury. This is a major step toward closing the department.
Congress still funds the agency, which some say is “appropriate policy” because it protects programs that might otherwise be lost. A lawsuit filed by advocacy groups claims the interagency agreements are unlawful, and a government watchdog is investigating the transfer of grant programs to Labor.
The administration has also cut its workforce by half, reducing staff from more than 4, 000 to around 2, 000. However, some positions were reinstated at a cost of tens of millions of dollars in paid leave.
If Democrats win the upcoming elections, it is unlikely any bill to shut down the department will pass. If a Democrat becomes president in 2028, they could undo the agreements and bring the agency back under full control. Conservative voices continue to urge Congress to act, saying the people voted for a smaller federal role in education.
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