They love to rail against but also appreciate the federal dollars flowing to their states
Even as President Trump moves forward with plans to weaken and, ultimately, dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Republicans appear conflicted.
NPR notes that at a recent hearing, the conversation turned to explaining the key functions of the DoE:
The Department of Education has two main jobs, in addition to managing the federal student loan system: It protects students’ civil rights and sends money to schools that need it most. But, just as the department doesn’t control classrooms, it doesn’t control budgets either.
Schools tend to receive about 10% of their total budget from the federal government. The rest comes from state and local sources. Yes, that 10% makes a huge difference – schools don’t just have tons of money lying around. And, yes, if the Department shuts down, how that money is spent or allocated could change – or, there could be less overall allocation if left to the states or integrated into state funding formulas.
So, Republican lawmakers face a conundrum – join their party’s leader in bashing and trashing the Department OR stand up for the DoE and the funds and protections it brings to schools in their states.
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