WASHINGTON – As the political landscape shifts in Congress, Democrats are gearing up to confront President Donald Trump’s education policies, particularly his plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. With Democrats poised to hold significant majorities, they are strategizing how best to counteract Trump’s agenda, particularly in light of his threat to veto any opposing legislation.
Despite Trump’s steadfast commitment to his policies, including the closure of the Education Department and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Democrats are preparing to utilize their oversight capabilities and appropriations powers to challenge these decisions. Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has emphasized a thorough approach, stating his intention to “leave no rock unturned” as he assumes control over the committee’s investigative powers, which include issuing subpoenas and conducting hearings.
Under the Trump administration, the Education Department has shifted its focus, prioritizing investigations into transgender issues while neglecting systemic racism in education. Scott has already reached out to ten federal agencies, urging them to preserve records in anticipation of congressional reviews.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent Democrat from Massachusetts, has called for accountability regarding the dismantling of the Department of Education, voicing her concerns about the impact these changes have on students across the nation.
In response to the Democrats’ plans, Trump administration officials have criticized the proposed investigations. Education Department spokesperson Savannah Newhouse accused Democrats of attempting to “prematurely sabotage” the efforts of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Liz Huston has claimed that Democrats have failed American students through “disastrous leadership” prior to Trump’s re-election.
While investigations serve to apply political pressure and uncover decision-making processes, they are unlikely to effectively halt the implementation of Trump’s education policies that have drawn ire from Democrats over the past two years. With Trump vowing to veto any legislation he views as detrimental, the prospects for legislative counteractions appear grim.
Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee are exploring more stringent measures through the budgeting process, with plans to attach conditions to spending bills that could rein in the Trump administration’s education agenda. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland expressed that there is interest in leveraging the “power of the purse” to establish safeguards against what he termed “abusive practices.”
Last year, Democrats struggled to incorporate broad measures in a funding bill aimed at preventing further dismantling of the Education Department. However, with majorities in both chambers now, they are set to make another attempt. Van Hollen noted that while it may be more challenging to rebuild the Education Department through appropriations alone, they can certainly work to prevent additional damage and seek to reverse any harm done thus far.
Some advocates are urging Democrats to go even further by including appropriations language that would mandate the reversal of certain decisions that have shifted Education Department responsibilities to other agencies, such as placing special education programs under the Department of Health and Human Services.
Aaron Ament, president of the advocacy group Student Defense, emphasized that it is becoming increasingly clear that the administration does not possess the authority to continue dismantling these crucial offices.
Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s veto power, some advocates are hopeful that the next Congress will be well-positioned to confirm a replacement for Harmeet Dhillon, an assistant attorney general who has been a key figure in the Justice Department’s extensive investigations into elite universities. Following the midterms, Trump’s decision to promote Stephen Miller—known for his hardline policies—to chief of staff has raised concerns among education advocates.
Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, highlighted the challenging environment in higher education, noting that the organization endorsed candidates for the first time during the midterms. He is now not only looking to reverse some of the changes made during the Trump administration but also aims to advocate for a free public higher education system, stating, “Most other countries have figured this out, and we can too.”
However, with Trump’s veto power looming, significant legislative changes may remain elusive in the next two years.
Trump’s second term has already been marked by substantial changes in education policy, including a near halving of the Education Department’s staff and the transfer of key responsibilities to other agencies. The administration has also waged a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in higher education, seeking to limit international enrollment and using federal funding as leverage to promote its agendas.
Despite the critical nature of educational issues, they receded in prominence during the recent midterm elections, which largely revolved around Trump’s unpopular economic policies and foreign conflicts. As Democrats develop a wide-ranging oversight agenda, education is expected to become less of a priority compared to larger issues like Trump’s self-enrichment and immigration enforcement.
Even with newfound power, there remains a lack of optimism regarding the ability of Democrats to override Trump’s veto on significant education bills. Advocates, however, are urging lawmakers to push forward regardless of potential vetoes. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, suggested that such actions could place pressure on Trump, allowing voters to see the stark contrasts between the parties’ educational policies.
On the other side, some conservative groups are pushing for last-minute legislation to advance Trump’s agenda. Following the midterms, the Heritage Foundation has encouraged Republican lawmakers to draft a bill aimed at closing the Education Department altogether, asserting that the agency has not demonstrated its value since its establishment in 1980.
The organization has called for collaboration with Secretary McMahon to “sunset this failed bureaucracy.”
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Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas.
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