(The Center Square) – The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted to advance bipartisan legislation that would prevent the U.S. Department of Education from transferring several major education offices to other federal agencies.
In a 13-9 vote, a bipartisan bill S.5046, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, with two Republican cosponsors - Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - would prohibit the department from moving programs administered by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Office of Postsecondary Education and the Office of Indian Education through interagency agreements.
This response from the HELP Committee follows a letter signed by 86 Democrats in the House Education Committee to also block the transfer, The Center Square previously reported.
In that letter to the department, the lawmakers said the Trump administration's proposal to move programs to a different agency violates congressional authority.
Collins said in a statement that these transfers are misaligned with their program purposes and that the change “fundamentally misunderstands” the intent and history of the programs within the department.
“The quality of our schools directly corresponds to students’ success and the strength of our economy,” Kaine said in a statement sent to The Center Square. “I am glad that the HELP Committee passed my bipartisan legislation to stop the Administration from spinning off specialized agencies within the Education Department, including those supporting special education, to other departments that are not equipped to administer them.”
The Department of Education pushed back on responses stating that the system has failed students.
“The era of coddling a failed status quo must end,” Education Department Press Secretary Savannah Newhouse told The Center Square. “It is an insult to American families — and downright malpractice — that Washington politicians are rushing to protect a system where roughly 30% of our nation’s students are proficient in math and reading. The needs of the system cannot be more important than the needs of the kids.”
Newhouse said Education Secretary Linda McMahon has provided Congress with "a proof of concept" demonstrating how partner agencies can administer the programs more effectively and said it is premature to halt the effort before it has the opportunity to reduce bureaucracy and improve services for students, families and educators.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
The Center Square contacted the offices of Collins and Murkowski for comment but did not receive a response.
"Esther is an education reporter for The Center Square. Please email her at ewickham@thecentersquare.com for tips or questions."
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