Committee approves resolution of inquiry seeking documents on Education Department downsizing
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Summary
The committee approved H.Res. 237 in the form of an amendment in the nature of a substitute requesting documents related to reductions in force and other downsizing measures at the Department of Education. The committee reported the resolution adversely to the House; recorded vote 18 yeas, 12 nays.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce voted to report H.Res. 237, a resolution of inquiry seeking documents from the president and the Secretary of Education about reductions in force and other downsizing at the Department of Education.
Supporters of the resolution, including Representative Onder, said resolutions of inquiry are a legitimate congressional oversight tool when the executive branch has not provided requested information. "Republicans welcome this debate because it is really a debate about two competing visions about education in America," Representative Onder said in explaining the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Opponents said the administration has repeatedly said it will work with Congress and that the Department of Education’s statutory functions must continue; Ranking Member Scott and several Democrats urged the committee to seek specific information about how the department will meet statutory obligations after recent staffing and organizational changes. Representative Bonamici, Representative Hayes, Representative Omar and others described instances of grant delays and office closures and urged full transparency from the department so states and grantees can plan.
Committee action: the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.Res. 237 was considered and agreed to as reported. Representative Owens moved that the committee report the resolution adversely to the House (i.e., recommend that the House not agree to the resolution); the clerk recorded 18 yeas and 12 nays, and the motion carried. The committee also provided unanimous consent for staff to make technical and conforming changes and noted members’ rights to file supplemental views.
Discussion: members requested documents and asked for clarity about how the department intends to carry out statutorily mandated functions, including Office for Civil Rights enforcement and student-aid administration, after layoffs and office closures. No additional committee directives were recorded in the transcript.