Press Releases

Today, in response to news that the President has signed an Executive Order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to dismantle the Department of Education, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement:

The President cannot unilaterally shut down the Department of Education (DoED). It was established by an act of Congress. To dismantle it—as this extremely harmful Executive Order sets out to do—would also require congressional action. This is basic constitutional law. Sadly, the President has shown time and again that he doesn’t care about the Constitution, or about the impacts his destructive actions will have on everyday Americans.

Eliminating the department would have devastating consequences for students, parents, and educators throughout the country—including here in Maine. Our schools receive more than $250 million a year through DoED, including $61 million for disadvantaged districts; $72 million for students with disabilities; $6.5 million for before- and after-school programs; $30 million for workforce development initiatives; and $75 million for Pell grants. All of it is in jeopardy now.

Let’s call this what it is: an attack on our kids, on parents, on communities, and on the very idea of public education. It will result in less support for education in Maine and very likely lead to higher local property taxes. All so that Republicans can give huge tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk.

###