In the latest effort by Republicans to dismantle the Department of Education, the House Education and Workforce Committee passed 10 bills out of committee yesterday which would codify the Trump administration’s plan to transfer ED responsibilities to other federal agencies. The “Less Bureaucracy, Better Education” Legislative Package includes:
- H.R. 9607, Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act, authored by Chairman Walberg
- H.R. 9609, Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act, authored by Chairman Walberg
- H.R. 9602, Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Gift Transparency Act, authored by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA)
- H.R. 9603, Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act, authored by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
- H.R. 9605, Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act, authored by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)
- H.R. 9606, Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act, authored by Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO)
- H.R. 9611, Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act, authored by Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC)
- H.R. 9610, Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act, authored by Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC)
- H.R. 9608, Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act, authored by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL)
- H.R. 9604, Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act, authored by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)
All but one bill in the package passed with unanimous support from the Republican majority, who argued that the bills would prevent fraud and waste in the education system. The Wednesday meeting, which lasted over six hours, featured strong opposition from Democrats who argued these interagency agreements would create more bureaucracy and worsen student outcomes.
If the package were to pass the House, it would face significant challenge from the Senate, where not all Republicans support dismantling the department.