[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6346257,"mediaKeyId","2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277","parentId",2247194,"title","House education hearing exposes sharp divide over DEI, parental rights and proposals to curtail Department of Education","audioSeconds",5852,"startMs",747000,"endMs",6599000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277&start=747&end=6599","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277/thumbnail_747000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346257/House-education-hearing-exposes-sharp-divide-over-DEI-parental-rights-and-proposals-to-curtail-Department-of-Education","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346257-2e84e025d29446183e5d6eb42e307669/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=LP~oloDpBO4SNwhHF8G6C3C8tKrjmRAedgNHaATMYKLHj4BgBcnBPzfo2bjvJRD-a5yFgelwWFr9kBjvD4Zwu7wYlOfiifpD6ju1S1etUBpz9wW4Po0n--rhg7bxle0GxBEG8FTlbZiMtsmVKfKGp55r5iYAXzkLJldPJuHNkmqxj6La3t5mEQtzFv6Qa-rffanIdj71qiCdN~qfZMl0J~mNAVJsaXBdgRVKPViXuOUh10xhlzo3037o-iaiYG6W5s~n-DW-5NrZEXY78vw~RAF61E2Timl1sXPvKaQGlwPhiGAYNPDEBOXrweHpeTVPIogpB5VlfgQLuvLr76EVFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce","date","2025-02-05T18:22:36Z","article","House Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Wahlberg convened the committee’s first hearing of the 119th Congress to examine the “state of American education,” and Republicans and Democrats used the session to highlight sharply different approaches to addressing low student performance and disputes over curriculum and federal oversight.

The hearing opened with Chairman Wahlberg saying that “education is key to everything that goes on this country,” and Ranking Member Bobby Scott responded by noting “current reporting that president Trump plans to issue an executive order to eliminate critical programs at the Department of Education and call on Congress to eliminate the entire department.” The exchange framed much of the testimony and questioning that followed.

Why it matters: Committee members and witnesses cast the debate in starkly different terms. Republicans and several witnesses framed the problem as bureaucratic overreach and ideological programming in schools, arguing for stronger parental access and more school choice. Democrats and civil‑rights witnesses warned that proposals to dismantle or defund the Department of Education would weaken enforcement of federal civil‑rights laws and damage services for students who rely on federal programs.

In her opening statement, Nicole Neely, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, said, “American education is in crisis. For far too long, US schools have focused on everything but educating children,” and criticized what she described as widespread DEI programming in districts and colleges. Neely urged more transparency and accountability in curriculum and foreign funding at both K‑12 and higher education institutions.

Janae Nelson, president and director‑counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, framed the issue differently. Nelson said public education remains central to equal opportunity, referencing the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision and warning that “public education is critical to the health of our economy and it is essential to the viability of our multiracial democracy.” She urged investment in proven, evidence‑based interventions such as universal pre‑K, competitive teacher salaries and supports for students with disabilities, and she said the LDF opposes publicly financed private school systems that would divert public funds.

Members pressed witnesses on several related topics. Ranking Member Scott and other Democrats repeatedly questioned whether a president can abolish the Department of Education by executive order; witnesses and members noted that the department was created by statute in 1979 and that full elimination would require congressional action. Republicans and witnesses who favor stronger parental rights criticized federal and local education bureaucracies for reducing parental access to curriculum and student records and for funding DEI programming.

On school choice and vouchers, Republican members and some witnesses described expanded choice as a path for parents to escape underperforming or unsafe schools. Democrats and civil‑rights witnesses argued vouchers can drain resources from the public system and that private schools are not subject to the same transparency, accountability or nondiscrimination requirements as public schools.

Several members and witnesses referenced Project 2025, the conservative policy document, as shaping proposed reforms; Democrats said Project 2025’s proposals to shift funds to private actors and to dismantle the Department of Education threatened civil‑rights enforcement and services for millions of students.

Ending: The committee left the hearing with clear partisan differences over goals and remedies. Republicans emphasized choice, parental access and shrinking federal influence; Democrats emphasized preserving federal enforcement of civil rights, protecting Title I and IDEA services, and increasing sustained federal investment in schools. No formal votes or committee actions were taken at the hearing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The State of American Education","oneSentenceSummary","House Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Wahlberg convened the committee’s first hearing of the 119th Congress to examine the state of American education, where members and witnesses sharply disagreed over diversity and equity programming in schools, parental access to curriculum, and proposals that could limit or dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.","taxTitle","Education and Labor: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1979,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346243,"Witnesses urge transparency after report of foreign funding and Confucius‑classroom ties in K‑12 and higher education",5319,1651000,6970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277&start=1651&end=6970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277/thumbnail_1651000.jpg","/articles/6346243/Witnesses-urge-transparency-after-report-of-foreign-funding-and-Confuciusclassroom-ties-in-K12-and-higher-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346243-08030972027b215b5e46427fa62a4b57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=NALV-wMBMRQm7-weV5V8hP5wFQLhmAz7eyKzR0TwxN-dU8XUsgQG4VX0u8oe~si4ETIzmriNU00mGhxwbAjvpFH6STtjtXrFmWbldt2inbgZ8zMqq-iki3FFJ-sQER2qo~nZb3hsj-W3xx9fhQGbWfca0i-7m3JgON1yOR6GEJEiBbWRgiS1DqYsq~HXNNSYOSEYWcIIRqPv45L6Iq1MDnmO4w04PPpPlqrq-ZydvHE9qFsWDmbBh14zBQCvH2LYexxd~Pj3ea3OVWDruQ~hsuxULc-dUSWfIQ-cQDuP0t-q6rZxlBbh-cSAA5s6qmoQqbqx~9iSft5NWoYzIyu1kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members and witnesses told the House Education and Workforce Committee that foreign funding and partnerships warrant closer congressional scrutiny, particularly when local schools receive curriculum or personnel linked to foreign governments.

Why it matters: Witnesses argued that undisclosed foreign funding can introduce biased curriculum, create national‑security risks near military installations, and expose student and institutional data to foreign actors. Committee members said federal reporting requirements and interagency coordination are needed to identify and mitigate those risks.

Nicole Neely of Parents Defending Education said investigators had identified “43 districts around the country in 34 states, including 20 near military bases, where Chinese teachers, Chinese materials, curriculum had come directly from CCP linked entities.” She described contracts and curricula tied to Confucius classroom programs and urged steps for transparency, notification and consequences where foreign influence is discovered.

Representative Seth Moulton and others referenced prior committee work and introduced bills during the previous Congress aimed at lowering reporting thresholds for foreign funding disclosures in higher education and enhancing K‑12 reporting. Representative Andrew Garbarino (questioning through the transcript) said he will introduce legislation (the INSTRUCT Act) to boost interagency coordination on foreign harmful influence in schools; members and witnesses supported measures to require disclosure of foreign contracts and greater vetting of partnerships.

Witnesses also reported specific examples in testimony, including local K‑12 partnerships with institutions tied to Chinese energy or university systems; members said local boards and districts often lack awareness of such linkages and asked Congress to consider statutory reporting and oversight tools.

Ending: The committee left the record open to pursue legislative options to increase transparency and reporting of foreign contracts and partnerships for both K‑12 and higher education institutions. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.","Witnesses described partnerships and funding from foreign entities to K‑12 programs and higher education and urged congressional oversight and reporting requirements to protect curriculum and student data.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346247,"Committee hears push for WIOA reauthorization, apprenticeships and career‑tech expansion to fill millions of openings",1427,976000,2403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277&start=976&end=2403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6346247/Committee-hears-push-for-WIOA-reauthorization-apprenticeships-and-careertech-expansion-to-fill-millions-of-openings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346247-2f55ce4841ed0cd33fdaaf6bd719621c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=napme3io1ZjcTsLmu2JPgz1yGPtN1v2S9m8-7bJXmEB0f5WP0uWVmtUWVgiLZXqws-22mhHV37CiCETJ64Fy4xyZ6stLFwPE9rqs6x47rHZ~JB8irw3lhHRgtPMPRA-gRvhYIHnz13v9UjiIY~xxww-eXNzSrCOojbLAhyS2811jqJIPcBxPUhfmY2cTk33Y9Ti2D7chGvBRE6Mo0zHIj1Qr-KMb2k~yP-GoagxLFYz8ei~Z~4EM3sH~tdypygQDlsA9rF1h0JbMaznpBnR12bgb3QWxa0nhU-n61wYsOH1gdLxzMr9GOjk23pjZFznGPbM6pp0zpC98T7DkEntOgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members and witnesses urged Congress to finish work on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act reauthorization and expand apprenticeships and career and technical education to address persistent employer skill shortages.

Why it matters: Lawmakers and business groups described a broad labor‑market mismatch: employers report millions of open jobs while many workers lack the skills employers demand. Members argued that WIOA reauthorization and targeted funding for hands‑on training can connect more jobseekers to employment and improve U.S. competitiveness.

Chairman Wahlberg and witnesses cited a national shortage of available workers. The chairman observed that “we have about 8,000,000 unfilled jobs in our country,” and witnesses described the pipeline problems employers face.

Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, said the “education to employment pipeline is leaky, it's broken, and it's busted,” and urged that workforce programs align training with employer needs, including retaining at least 50% of funds for training and leveraging employer expertise. Taylor and other witnesses recommended expanding registered apprenticeships and giving employers a larger role in shaping curriculum.

Members also highlighted successful local examples of high school career and technical education programs (agriscience and trade high school programs) and said earlier exposure to skills training can broaden opportunity and diversify career pathways. Several members stressed that funding and implementation design — including whether training is paid — matters for participation among low‑income students.

Ending: Members expressed bipartisan interest in reintroducing and finishing WIOA reform this Congress, and witnesses said employer‑driven training, apprenticeships and career‑technical options are central to closing the skills gap. The committee did not take formal votes at the hearing.","Members and witnesses emphasized updating the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), increasing employer‑driven training and expanding apprenticeships and career and technical education to close a reported gap of millions of open jobs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346252,"Committee hears competing views on student‑loan reforms, Parent PLUS and accountability for colleges",105,1749000,1854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277&start=1749&end=1854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247194-d7c39f43630c3f42b8328727708ca277/thumbnail_1749000.jpg","/articles/6346252/Committee-hears-competing-views-on-studentloan-reforms-Parent-PLUS-and-accountability-for-colleges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346252-be00cb9b5aabda6fb208a1a39833fa9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=IOikM11RnPnhpqcbb7Kk9bJ-5kBHMwpgI777fij3SnU8ev95oLDq23ebwg9YO9oL-Iwo6XZ4MuO9KU-ITNpPWNy43II5KORgEqU9lA-M1RMhJF6NbWDSK9WHqeZHatWazOxxus2o4Ye697fG3X9GvgawN~KYfSNCUQT4NclxcPHmKiHsaI8vRnrG0A3IPSP1z05~mJ71DbwtElW502gRXKuzcvlrVkD6BLIxPijRrjn3OT3r-~vIznDnsyY6QCxaXmnDtb-GB~AhoqHCyg6HbrnYnYlIhR5Eo8uLBqR8inC3eKoWlkYArGb8-NzjswqU2Q1uyDhcIslNfmFsPPoLaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Education and Workforce heard competing assessments of the U.S. higher education finance system and possible reforms to federal student aid and institutional accountability.

Why it matters: Members and witnesses agreed higher education faces price and value concerns, but they disagreed on causes and remedies. Witnesses from conservative‑leaning organizations emphasized institutional spending and excessive borrowing; Democratic members emphasized preserving access and protecting borrowers and veterans from predatory institutions.

Preston Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, testified that higher education “can be a great investment for students. But all too often, that investment does not pay off.” He estimated that “Between 2018 and 2022, I estimate that at least $37,000,000,000 in Pell grama and $86,000,000,000 in federal student loans flow to degree programs that do not lead to a return on investment for students.” Cooper also cited a Congressional Budget Office projection that taxpayers could lose $223,000,000,000 on newly originated student loans between 2025 and 2034 if repayment and borrowing remain unchanged.

Members and witnesses discussed the Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS programs. In a later exchange, Cooper said, “The Parent PLUS program is a predatory loan program,” describing high interest rates, fees and uncapped borrowing that have grown substantially and concentrated at a relatively small number of institutions.

Several members urged Congress to consider measures in the College Cost Reduction Act and other bills that would limit unconstrained borrowing, reform repayment, and hold colleges accountable for outcomes. Cooper characterized the College Cost Reduction Act as a three‑pronged approach: “Reforming the student loan repayment system, imposing sensible caps on borrowing, and holding colleges accountable for how well they serve students.”

Democratic members pressed witnesses on protections for veterans and students harmed by predatory institutions, noting that some federal benefits (for example, GI Bill tuition assistance) cannot be retroactively recovered if misused by an institution and that strong enforcement mechanisms are necessary to protect those students.

Ending: The hearing produced no enactments. Members on both sides signaled interest in legislative changes to reduce borrower risk and improve institutional accountability, but also deep disagreement about the role of mass loan cancellation and the balance between access and fiscal sustainability.","Witnesses told the House Education and Workforce Committee that U.S. higher education faces affordability and accountability problems. AEI and other witnesses urged caps and repayment reforms; Democrats warned mass cancellation and other unilateral executive actions would not solve underlying problems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House education hearing exposes sharp divide over DEI, parental rights and proposals to curtail Department of Education

Witnesses urge transparency after report of foreign funding and Confucius‑classroom ties in K‑12 and higher education

Committee hears push for WIOA reauthorization, apprenticeships and career‑tech expansion to fill millions of openings

Committee hears competing views on student‑loan reforms, Parent PLUS and accountability for colleges