User’s manual to Trump’s effort to dismantle the Education Department

President Donald Trump is moving forward with his plan to dismantle the Department of Education. However, this plan will likely need to go through Congress for approval. In a recent spending bill, GOP lawmakers renewed much of the funding for the Department of Education to prevent a government shutdown.

Eliminating the Education Department would require legislation approved by both chambers of Congress. Over the years, there have been various laws mandating specific actions by the department or the federal government.

To proceed with this proposal, it must go through both the House and Senate. In the Senate, it would need to overcome a filibuster, which requires 60 votes. Given that Democrats are unlikely to support this move, and some Republicans may also oppose it, the future of the plan remains uncertain.

Congress is expected to receive a “recissions” request from the Trump administration to cancel existing spending. While this action would not eliminate the department entirely, it would significantly reduce its funding, essentially gutting it.

Looking ahead, lawmakers will need to address funding for the Department of Education in upcoming spending bills due by September 30. Opponents of the department may attempt to “zero out” its funding, but passing such legislation would also require 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster.

In conclusion, while President Trump is pushing to dismantle the Department of Education, the process of doing so is complex and faces significant challenges in Congress. The future of the department and its funding will likely be a topic of debate and negotiation in the coming months.