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Sen. Brenner urges Congress to dismantle U.S. Department of Education in committee testimony
Summary
Sponsor Senator Brenner told the Senate Education Committee SCR 16 calls on Congress to abolish the U.S. Department of Education and return authority to states, arguing federal spending and mandates have grown without improving outcomes. Colleagues pressed concerns about civil‑rights enforcement and whether state systems can meet federal requirements.
Senator Brenner told the Senate Education Committee that Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 asks Congress to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and return authority over education to the states, local communities and families.
"It calls on Congress to dismantle the United States Department of Education and return authority over education to the states, local communities, and families where it constitutionally belongs," Brenner said, arguing that federal rules, compliance burdens and overhead have grown since the department’s creation in 1979 without producing improved student achievement.
Brenner framed the resolution as a federalism and accountability measure, saying states already set curriculum standards, license teachers and manage the bulk of education funding and that state‑level innovation—he cited recent literacy gains in Mississippi and Alabama—can move faster than a large federal bureaucracy. He also disputed critics who say civil‑rights protections depend on a cabinet agency, saying civil‑rights laws predate a modern Department of Education and can be enforced without a sprawling department.
Ranking members and committee colleagues pressed the sponsor on practical consequences. Senator Smith asked whether federal efforts have produced useful, nation‑level comparisons and whether the department raises standards for the national workforce; Brenner said he believed states are better positioned. Ranking Member Ingram asked whether abolishing the department would risk weakening protections or leave gaps in services; a back‑and‑forth followed about whether the resolution seeks to prompt reorganization or would create downstream funding and implementation challenges.
No formal action or vote occurred during the hearing; Brenner concluded by asking for the committee’s support for asking Congress to consider the change and offered to answer follow‑up questions from members.
The committee recorded questions and concerns about civil‑rights enforcement mechanisms, accountability for students with disabilities, and the practical work needed to shift regulations and funding streams if the resolution were to prompt legislative change at the federal level. The hearing on SCR 16 ended without a committee vote.
