GOP unveils long-shot bills to further dismantle Education Department
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans unveiled a legislative package Thursday, July 9, that would put into law much of the Trump administration's dismantling of the Education Department.
The 10 bills, which would break up the agency's functions and officially move them to other parts of the federal government, face long odds of actually passing both chambers of Congress, especially before November's midterm elections.
The legislation still underlines an acknowledgment among GOP lawmakers and even high-level Education Department officials, including Secretary Linda McMahon, that in order to officially do away with the agency, President Trump would need Capitol Hill's approval.
"The bills would transfer key statutory authorities to agencies better equipped to carry them out while maintaining continuity for students and stakeholders," Rep. Tim Walberg, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House's education committee, said in a statement. McMahon cheered the legislation, calling it a "historic step."
Despite the legal barriers the Trump administration has faced to downsize the agency, federal officials have moved forward with the campaign promise anyway. The department's staff was cut in half last year, and the Supreme Court ultimately allowed those firings to continue. Since then, McMahon has inked agreements with several other agencies, including the Labor Department and Health and Human Services Department, to shift work and staff to different corners of the government.
"Thank you to Chairman Walberg and House Republicans for introducing legislation to codify these commonsense partnerships," Ellen Keast, an Education Department spokeswoman, said in a statement. "Secretary McMahon has said all along that these partnerships are a proof of concept."
Democrats and the Education Department's union have repeatedly denounced those changes, arguing they've only created more red tape, not less, and will hurt students and schools. Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and the ranking member on the House education committee, accused the Trump administration and GOP lawmakers of trying to offload critical offices to agencies "ill-equipped to carry out core duties."
"This would weaken educational opportunities and workforce readiness services for millions of Americans," Scott said. "The American people will bear the brunt of these disastrous policies promoted by Republicans."
There are many barriers to Walberg's bills moving forward. For one thing, the House of Representatives has struggled to pass much of anything lately, as GOP infighting has frozen the legislative schedule for weeks. Lawmakers, who will be out for most of August and October, only have a matter of weeks left in session to vote before the midterms, which could reshape the balance of power in Congress.
Even if the legislation passed the House, it would have to go to the Senate, where it would need at least some Democratic support to avoid a filibuster.
Zachary Schermele is the congressional correspondent for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP unveils long-shot bills to further dismantle Education Department
Reporting by Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 11:09 PM.