GOP Senators Get Into New Spat

A group of moderate Republican senators has joined Democrats in introducing legislation that would prevent the U.S. Department of Education from transferring several of its major responsibilities to other federal agencies, creating a potential obstacle for President Donald Trump’s effort to shrink the federal government’s role in education.

According to The Daily Signal, the proposals could significantly slow the administration’s long-term plan to reorganize—and eventually eliminate—the Department of Education by preventing key education programs from being shifted elsewhere in the federal government.

Bills Would Limit Agency Transfers

One proposal, S. 5046, was introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

The legislation would prohibit the Department of Education from transferring oversight of several major programs, including:

• Special education
• Elementary and secondary education
• Postsecondary education
• Native American education

The bill would also prevent federal agencies from using existing interagency agreements, contracts, or transfer authorities to work around those restrictions.

A second measure, the Special Education Administration Protection Act, was introduced by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Cassidy’s legislation would specifically block the Department of Education from moving special education responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump Administration Pursuing Major Education Reforms

The legislation comes as the Trump administration continues implementing its campaign promise to reduce Washington’s influence over education and return greater authority to state and local governments.

Since May 2025, the Department of Education has entered into 14 interagency agreements transferring certain administrative duties involving K-12 and higher education programs to other federal agencies.

Supporters say the agreements streamline government operations, reduce bureaucracy, and improve efficiency while the administration restructures the department.

Critics argue the transfers could create confusion, weaken congressional oversight, and reduce accountability by moving core education functions outside the department.

Heritage Foundation Criticizes Moderate Republicans

Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow with the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy, criticized Collins and Murkowski for opposing an important part of President Trump’s education agenda.

DeAngelis noted that both senators have previously broken with many conservatives on education issues, including their opposition to Betsy DeVos’s confirmation as Education secretary in 2017.

He also pointed to political support both senators have received from the National Education Association (NEA), including the union’s endorsement of Murkowski.

According to DeAngelis, maintaining key education programs within the Department of Education preserves a centralized federal bureaucracy instead of allowing states to exercise greater control over education policy.

He argued that returning education decisions to state and local governments has been a longstanding priority for many conservatives and remains a central objective of the Trump administration.

Senate Vote Could Shape Future of Education Department

The Senate HELP Committee is expected to consider both bills during its July 30 executive session.

The Daily Signal reported that Murkowski, Collins, and Cassidy did not respond to requests for comment regarding the legislation.

Meanwhile, House Republicans continue advancing legislation that would permanently move several Education Department functions to other federal agencies. The House Education and Workforce Committee approved ten Republican-backed bills earlier this month supporting that broader restructuring effort, although those proposals do not include special education or federal civil rights enforcement programs.

The debate now unfolding in the Senate highlights an emerging divide within the Republican Party over how quickly the federal government’s role in education should be reduced. While many conservatives support President Trump’s effort to return more authority to the states, some lawmakers argue that certain federal education programs should remain under the Department of Education to ensure continuity and oversight.

As Congress weighs these competing approaches, the outcome could shape the future of federal education policy for years to come.