Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act” in the Senate this week. The proposed legislation, which mirrors a bill brought before the House by Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) in 2023 (but died in committee), calls for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education within 180 days of the bill’s adoption and the redistribution of its programs under the Department of State, the Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor. [South Dakota Searchlight]
What they’re saying: In a recent statement, Sen. Rounds said this: “Local school boards and state Departments of Education know best what their students need, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. This legislation is a roadmap to eliminating the federal Department of Education by practically rehoming these federal programs in the departments where they belong, which will be critical as we move into next year.”
What’s next: The bill is in its infancy and has a long way to go before it has the possibility of becoming law in the next Congress
Stay tuned: Our team will track the progress of this bill and share updates in future editions of W/A Notes. Questions? Reach out to us.
