The House education committee's first meeting of the new term focused on 'The State of American Education,' but was overshadowed by President Trump's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Democrats defended the department's crucial role, while Republicans supported Trump's plan for local control and criticized federal involvement. Both sides acknowledged the need to address learning loss and improve education, but their approaches diverged sharply.
The House education committee held its first meeting of the new congressional term, titled 'The State of American Education.' The hearing was dominated by the political storm surrounding President Trump's efforts to diminish and eventually dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. Rep.
Bobby Scott, the committee's top Democrat, began the hearing by acknowledging the 'elephant in the room,' stating the irony of discussing education's state while the administration aims to dismantle the agency responsible for ensuring quality education. Scott and other Democrats fiercely defended the department's role in funding schools serving lower-income students, safeguarding the civil rights of children with disabilities, and managing the nation's $1.6 trillion student loan program. Republicans, however, largely supported Trump's plan, arguing for local control and decrying the department as wasteful and interfering. Rep. Joe Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, expressed his support for Trump's 'courage' to promote local school boards, while Missouri Republican Bob Onder suggested spinning off some of the department's functions.The hearing saw heated exchanges, with California Democrat Mark Takano accusing Republicans of surrendering to a 'would-be king' for their support of Trump's unilateral actions. While Republicans and Democrats clashed over the department's fate, they found some common ground in acknowledging the need to address learning loss stemming from the pandemic. Rep. Tim Walberg, the committee's new chairman, stated that students are still scoring below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading. Both sides agreed that investing in teachers and improving core skills were crucial. The debate also touched on issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education, with conservative voices criticizing Biden administration initiatives. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat and former teacher, countered by highlighting the historical need for federal intervention to ensure educational equity for marginalized communities. Finally, the discussion touched on school choice, with President Trump advocating for families to use public dollars for any school, including private and religious ones.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL CHOICE LEARNING LOSS DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION
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