HR1789: HR1789 United States Department of Education; dissolve and restore educational authority to the states; express support

26 LC 63 0159 House Resolution 1789 By: Representatives Wade of the 9th, Kelley of the 16th, Momtahan of the 17th, Clifton of the 131st, and Martinez of the 111th A RESOLUTION Expressing support for dissolving the United States Department of Education and restoring1 educational authority to the states; and for other purposes. 2 WHEREAS, the United States Constitution establishes a federal system that reserves those3 powers not delegated to the federal government to the states and the people; and 4 WHEREAS, education is not a power delegated to the federal gove rnment and has5 historically been governed by states and local communities accountable to families; and 6 WHEREAS, the creation of the United States Department of Educat ion expanded federal7 involvement in education significantly, while academic achievement stagnated or declined;8 and 9 WHEREAS, national assessments and polling show troubling trends in student reading and10 math performance, as well as a lack of basic civic knowledge; and 11 WHEREAS, decades of increased federal spending and regulation h ave not improved12 outcomes for students, but have imposed burdens on states and their schools; and 13 H. R. 1789 - 1 - 26 LC 63 0159 WHEREAS, federal control has created administrative bloat and b ureaucracy that diverts14 resources away from classrooms and students; and 15 WHEREAS, states are the drivers of innovation in education, lea ding effective education16 reforms that expand choice and improve outcomes; and 17 WHEREAS, governors, state legislators, and local officials are directly accountable to18 parents and taxpayers for their decisions regarding education, providing clearer responsibility19 and responsiveness than unelected federal bureaucrats; and 20 WHEREAS, prioritizing the needs of students and families requires placing decision-making21 authority with those closest to the classroom; and 22 WHEREAS, Secretary McMahon has initiated significant organizati onal restructuring by23 reducing the United States Department of Education's workforce without adversely affecting24 educational services; and25 WHEREAS, the federal government is taking steps to transfer education programs that are26 currently run by the United Sates Department of Education to ot her federal agencies that27 already manage related services, such as the transfer of certain grant programs to the United28 States Department of Labor, special education and student welfare programs to the United29 States Department of Health and Human Services, and federal stu dent loans to the federal30 Small Business Administration; and31 WHEREAS, approximately $15 billion in federal funding for the I ndividuals with32 Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is provided to states annuall y to help cover special33 education costs; and34 H. R. 1789 - 2 - 26 LC 63 0159 WHEREAS, the federal government intends to maintain or increase the funding stream for35 students with disabilities, while moving the oversight for programs serving such students to36 another federal agency; and37 WHEREAS, the dismantling of the United States Department of Education will not directly38 eliminate school meal funding because school nutrition programs are already primarily39 operated through the United States Department of Agriculture, including the National School40 Lunch Program, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, and the Whole Milk for Health41 Kids Act of 2025; and42 WHEREAS, the federal government is pursuing interagency agreeme nts to move43 responsibilities out of the United States Department of Education so that services currently44 provided by the department are not eliminated.45 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that46 the members of this body affirm its responsibility to lead on education in a manner consistent47 with the United States Constitution and the principles of feder alism; support efforts to48 dismantle the United States Department of Education, returning authority over education49 back to the states; encourage the reorganization of federal education programs into different50 agencies, with no reduction in funding for such programs; and e ncourage shifting core51 responsibilities of the United States Department of Education to other agencies, in both state52 and federal governments, that are better suited to execute them.53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body express their resolve to seek54 every opportunity, in cooperation with other federal agencies, to regain control of 55 kindergarten through grade 12 schools in this state.56 H. R. 1789 - 3 - 26 LC 63 0159 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized57 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the58 Governor of Georgia, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,59 and the chairpersons of the appropriate House and Senate commit tees for consideration60 during the 2026 legislative session.61 H. R. 1789 - 4 -