Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation on Thursday to eliminate the Department of Education, a move that would have the support of President-elect Trump.
The proposal would get rid of the federal agency and move all critical programs to other departments.
“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic Department that causes more harm than good,” Rounds said.
Trump has repeatedly pledged to eliminate the federal department, and, with a Republican trifecta in government starting next year, the party might be able to fulfill that pledge.
“For years, I’ve worked toward removing the federal Department of Education. I’m pleased that President-elect Trump shares this vision, and I’m excited to work with him and Republican majorities in the Senate and House to make this a reality. 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,” Rounds said.
The legislation stands little chance in the current Democratic-controlled Senate, but Republicans are poised to take the reins of the upper chamber in January.
While Republicans have championed the cause for years, Trump also had unified GOP control in his first administration but left office with the Education Department still in tact.
The bill comes days after Trump nominated Linda McMahon, a former head of the Small Business Administration in his first term, to lead the Department of Education.
