WASHINGTON D.C. –Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Senior Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement following reports to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:
“The idea of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education is a blow to the heart of educators and children across this nation. It’s more than a slap in the face — it’s a declaration of war on the future of our children, a betrayal of every teacher who pours their soul into shaping young minds, and a cruel death sentence for students who rely on our public schools.
“Financial aid for college students? Our public school system? Equal access to K-12 and higher education? The safety of our students? Supporting students with disabilities? All of that is on the chopping block with these executive orders, making it clear that our leaders are willing to sacrifice the future of our children for their gross political agendas.
“Elon Musk doesn’t have a damn clue what he is doing. He’s running the entire U.S. government to the ground and has no place playing dictator. It’s downright despicable. Congress is the only branch of government that can create or destroy agencies, and Republicans are just handing over its keys to an unelected billionaire who only cares about his checkbook, not the American people.
“Regardless of the Administration’s plan—whether it involves defunding the Department of Education, decentralizing the department’s functions, or instructing the U.S. Secretary of Education to devise a plan for its dismantlement—such actions are outrageous, a ploy straight from Project 2025. Their plan reflects the lack of importance that Republicans place on our education system. Congress must take action to ensure the U.S. Department of Education is properly funded and continues to operate as normal. Litigation must be filed to ensure we put a stop to this potentially unconstitutional executive action. And I will not stop standing up for our education system until I have no soles left in my shoes to fight.
“Democrats are doing what we can to fight back, but what folks need to be doing, especially reporters and everyday constituents, is getting Republican lawmakers on the record about this decision. Republicans are in control of Congress, not Democrats, and they have the power to hold the administration accountable. They can’t stay silent when they have the power to stop something that will hurt so many of our children. Republicans need to leave the Department of Education alone and get down to the business of making things more affordable for the American people!
“And let’s not forget, if Republicans are doing this to hurt minorities, Black and Hispanic children make up the minority of children in our public schools. Anglo families need to speak up and defend the bedrock of our nation—public education. Also, the poorest districts in the country that rely on public education are represented by Republicans. So, it’s time for Republicans to speak up and defend their constituents.”
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is a former public school teacher, public school principal, school administrator, and Miami-Dade County school board member.
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is an eighth-term lawmaker from Florida, representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and lifelong educator, she founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentoring and dropout prevention program for boys and young men of color. Congresswoman Wilson is also the founder and chair of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and the Florida Ports Caucus. This bipartisan task force coordinates federal action to support Florida’s harbors and waterways and is a proud member of the Congressional HBCU Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus. The Florida lawmaker sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. She serves as the Ranking Member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
