Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Education Chair Lindsey Williams Decry Dismantling of Federal Department of Education

PITTSBURGH, PA − March 20, 2025 − Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order which begins the process of dismantling the US Department of Education.

In condemning this unconstitutional action, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Education Chair Lindsey Williams issue the following joint statement:

"We are appalled that President Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire cronies have taken the unconstitutional and unprecedented step of dismantling the US Department of Education, and moreover, that they have barely attempted to disguise their flagrant raiding of our children's futures to line their own pockets.

"The US Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that every single student, especially our students with disabilities, receives an excellent public-school education surrounded by adults who care about them. In Pennsylvania, we rely on the US Department of Education for $1.45 billion in education support funding, $3.3 million in mental health services funding, and $238.1 million in workforce development funding. On the higher education front, the destruction of the Department of Education stands to cost our Commonwealth $68.9 billion in federal student loans, which support over 1.8 million Pennsylvanians.

"Dismantling the US Department of Education will do nothing to improve students' math and literacy skills, nor will it lower property taxes; on the contrary, this order will serve only to clear the way for rolling back the civil rights of our students and unleashing untold discrimination without consequences.

"Further, Executive Orders are not law. They cannot change existing law or our constitution. This Executive Order cannot eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Today's action is unconstitutional, but the damage to our students, parents, and educators has already begun.

"Pennsylvania's Department of Education will continue to diligently carry out its mission to provide a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary system public education on the state level to the best of their abilities, but the future of necessary funding, technical education, and special education is in incredible peril. The Senate Democratic Caucus will be fighting harder than ever for our students, our educators, our parents, and our support staffers."

Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats commitment to an excellent education for every Pennsylvanian here.

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