U.S. Senator Banks introduces bill to eliminate Department of Education

Submitted by Office of U.S. Sen. Jim Banks

Banks

Last week, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act. This bill eliminates the Department of Education and returns control of education policy and funding to the states through federal block grants.

It transfers key programs, like student aid, vocational training, and special education, to other federal agencies while preserving protections like FERPA and Title IX. The bill ensures a smooth transition and maintains civil rights enforcement and continuity of services during the process.

“While the average Department of Education bureaucrat makes twice as much as a teacher in Indiana, our national test scores are near historic lows,” Sen. Banks said. “That money should be sent back to the states to empower parents, teachers, and local leaders. Congress has a golden opportunity to codify President Trump’s executive actions. This bill does that. It’s a win for American education.”

Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) is also a cosponsor.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.