S.1148 - To terminate the Department of Education. (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1148 proposes the termination of the Department of Education by December 31, 2026. The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2025, by Mr. Paul, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Moreno and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The bill's primary objective is to eliminate the Department of Education as a federal entity.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Department of Education would cease to exist, and its functions would need to be either eliminated, transferred to other federal agencies, or devolved to state and local governments. This could lead to significant changes in federal education policy, funding, and oversight. The states would likely have more control over education.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in federal spending and bureaucracy.
- Increased local control over education policies and curricula.
- Elimination of federal mandates that may be seen as burdensome by states and local districts.
- Opportunity for states to innovate and implement education reforms tailored to their specific needs.
- Could lead to more efficient allocation of resources if states are more responsive to local needs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential loss of federal funding for education programs, particularly impacting lower-income states and districts.
- Increased inequality in educational opportunities across states due to varying levels of resources and commitment to education.
- Disruption of national education initiatives and data collection efforts.
- Possible weakening of civil rights protections in education if federal oversight is reduced.
- May lead to a lack of accountability and standardization in education across the country.
Constitutional Alignment
The Constitution does not explicitly mention education, leaving its governance largely to the states under the Tenth Amendment. Terminating the Department of Education could be argued as a return to this original understanding of federalism. However, Congress has the power to "provide for the general Welfare" (Article I, Section 8), which has been interpreted to allow for federal involvement in education. The debate hinges on the scope of federal power versus state autonomy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).