1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the Trump administration's plan to outsource large parts of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies without Congressional approval. This move is not only potentially illegal but also threatens the quality and consistency of education services for millions of American students and families. The administration's proposal to shift critical educational functions to agencies like the Department of Labor, Interior, State, and Health and Human Services is alarming. For instance, the plan would move the management of Title I funding, which supports our most vulnerable students, to the Department of Labor. This change could severely disrupt services for low-income students who rely on these programs. Students with individualized education plans depend on the Department of Education to provide oversight to the states on implementing and executing IDEA fairly. If it is left to the states, not all will follow the law fairly. It's crucial to note that many of these offices were explicitly placed within the Education Department by Congress when it was created in 1979. As Senator Patty Murray rightly pointed out, this is an "outright illegal effort" that bypasses necessary Congressional oversight and approval. While Education Secretary Linda McMahon claims these changes will reduce federal bureaucracy and improve efficiency, the potential harm to students and families far outweighs any perceived benefits. The administration's assertion that statutory responsibilities will remain with the Education Department, even as the work is done elsewhere, raises serious questions about accountability and effective program management. Furthermore, it's concerning that this briefing was led by Lindsey Burke, who has previously advocated for eliminating the federal Department of Education entirely. This suggests a broader agenda to dismantle rather than improve our education system. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent this illegal and harmful reorganization. Please work with your colleagues to demand a full Congressional review of this proposal, introduce or support legislation to block these unauthorized changes, and hold oversight hearings to examine the legality and impact of this plan. Our students deserve a robust, dedicated Department of Education that can focus solely on their needs. Please stand up for our education system and the millions of Americans who depend on it.