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Congressman John Mannion of New York's 22nd District has introduced his first piece of legislation since taking office in January. The bill aims to prevent President Donald Trump from shutting down special education programs as he attempts to dismantle the Department of Education. Mannion's legislation seeks to ensure that programs for students with disabilities remain within the Department of Education, rather than being transferred to another agency.
President Trump recently signed an executive order to close the Department of Education, drawing criticism from Democrats. According to USA Today, Trump's plan involves transferring the department's services to other federal departments, but this cannot be fully executed without congressional approval. Mannion, a former teacher, expressed concern about the impact on public education, stating, "Donald Trump’s attempt to marginalize education, cut funding for the next generation of Americans, and erode trust in our public schools is not putting America first — it is putting America last."
The proposed legislation by Mannion comes amid a broader debate over the future of the Department of Education. As reported by Higher Ed Dive, Democratic members of Congress have been actively opposing the administration's efforts to limit the department's programming. They were recently blocked from entering the department's headquarters in Washington, D.C., while attempting to discuss their concerns with Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter.
The bill's introduction highlights the ongoing political struggle over educational policy in the United States. It remains uncertain if Mannion's bill will be brought to a vote in Congress. Meanwhile, the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education continues to face significant opposition, with critics arguing it could harm students, particularly those with disabilities, by disrupting essential educational services.