Rep. Kiley Votes Against Dismantling Department of Education

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 9610 at a hearing of the House Education & Workforce Committee. The bill would transfer the core K-12 education functions out of the Education Department and into the Department of Labor.

“Shutting down the Department of Education is the wrong thing for our country. While running schools is the job of states and local districts, advancing educational excellence is a vital national priority, especially at a time when our students are falling further and further behind. I have made it clear since the beginning of this Administration that I am for reforms to focus the department’s mission but will oppose any effort to shut it down or remove the core K-12 programs that support teachers and students.”

The legislation passed in committee by a vote of 19-17. You can read the full text of the bill here, and listen to Rep. Kiley’s committee remarks here.

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