A bill to terminate the Department of Education.

S. 1148 proposes to terminate the Department of Education, a federal agency established in 1979 that oversees national education policy, administers federal student aid programs, and enforces civil rights protections in schools. If enacted, this legislation would require the transfer of the department's various functions—including management of federal student loans, grants, special education services, and civil rights enforcement—to other existing federal agencies or potentially to state governments.

The practical impact on citizens would be significant and far-reaching. Students and families currently relying on federal student aid programs, special education services, and other Department of Education programs would experience changes in how these services are administered. Schools would face changes in how federal education funding is distributed and how federal civil rights protections are enforced. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in the Senate in March 2025, and has been referred to committee for consideration.