House Democrats Press Secretary McMahon on Dismantling the Department of Education

Concerns Over Department of Education Closure

• 🏛️ House Democrats met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to demand answers regarding the Trump administration's illegal actions to shut down the Department of Education.
• 📜 Executive orders lack the power to create laws; only Congress can establish or close the Department of Education, which was created by Congress 45 years ago.
• ⚠️ Concerns were raised about the enforcement of civil rights, cuts to early childhood education, and the guarantee of free and fair education for students.
• 📉 Questions were asked about contract cancellations, gutting of federal staff, and choking off federal funding.

Secretary McMahon's Stance and Department Actions

• ⚖️ Secretary McMahon indicated she is carefully reviewing what the statute allows before moving any department functions, which was seen as a refreshing departure from the administration's general approach.
• ❓ Despite assurances, actions by the President and the Secretary have contradicted her words and the Constitution.
• 💼 The Secretary suggested student loans might be transferred to the Small Business Administration.
• 🏢 There is a perception that the department is being dismantled, with a focus on cutting bureaucracy and sending money to states, which Democrats fear will lead to negative consequences.

Impact of Dismantling Education Department

• 📉 Cutting federal oversight and staff is expected to negatively impact program recipients and lead to long wait times and poor service, similar to issues seen with the IRS and Social Security.
• 🚩 In