Horsford: Trump’s Action Against U.S. Department of Education Slams the Door on Children Seeking a Brighter Future

LAS VEGAS, N.V. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today responded to news of President Trump instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

 While Trump cannot close a federal agency created by Congress without Congressional approval, his move today undermines the agency’s ability to successfully meet its mission: to promote student achievement and prepare for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access to education.

 “Donald Trump has no power to close an agency, but he’s still slamming the door on children in Nevada and across the country who simply want a brighter future,” Rep. Horsford said. “This isn’t about cost savings, and it’s not about efficiency – it’s about helping the rich get richer with privatized education, and forcing the poor to suffer more as their support systems dwindle.”

 Students in Nevada will be among the hardest hit by Trump’s actions. With vast rural areas and funding challenges following the COVID pandemic, the Silver State faces significant challenges to per-pupil funding. The dynamic leads to some of the worst results in the nation for proficiency in English and math, high school graduation rates, and more.

 “Nevadans understand how vital a good education is, precisely because our state has faced challenges providing them,” Rep. Horsford continued. “A single mom working in North Las Vegas has the same hopes and dreams for her children as a hedge fund manager in Manhattan. The difference is opportunity, and by gutting the Department of Education, President Trump just made that gap exponentially larger.

 “For Donald Trump, this was a simple pen stroke to help his rich friends,” Horsford added. “For the generations of children harmed by it, this will be a lifetime of diminished opportunity and achievement. Shame on this Administration.”

 In Nevada, support from the U.S. Department of Education includes:

• Support for over 534,000 children across 700 K-12 schools –
  • Title I schools serving over 270,000 students, ensuring every child has the resources they need to learn;
  • Speech services, reading support, or other assistance benefitting 64,000 children;
  • Life skill programs (e.g. career counseling) to help students succeed beyond the classroom;
  • Before- and after-school programs to support working parents, and clubs and sports to help children live well-rounded lives;
  • Support for English language learners, rural students, military families, and Native American reservations.
• Workforce Development –
  • Career and technical education, including pathways to jobs through apprenticeship programs in traditional trades or STEM careers;
  • Job placement services to help every Nevadan who wants a job – including those with disabilities – to find a job.
• Investments in two- and four-year college and trade development –
  • Student loans supporting over 363,000 Nevadans;
  • Pell grants helping 57,000 Nevadans pursue a college degree;
  • Financial support to students at Nevada’s five minority serving institutions;
  • Support to help underrepresented students succeed, including those who are first in their families to attend college, are from lower-income households, or have disabilities.
• Improvements to schools and communities –
  • Mental health and learning support, including reading coaches, parent liaisons, counselors and psychologists.
  • Financial support to schools to help hire teachers and support staff.