Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky offered an amendment on Friday to end the federal Department of Education’s authority to control elementary and secondary education, but it failed in the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives.
Iowa’s delegation joined all 205 Democrats in opposing the measure as Representatives Randy Feenstra, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn and Ashley Hinson all voted against Massie’s amendment.
Massie said some may confuse the purpose of his amendment, but it is about strengthening public education in America. He, his wife and his children are all products of public education, he said.
“We’re proud of our schools in this country, but it’s time to turn in the grade card for the Department of Education,” he said. “They’ve been at it for 40 years and they get an ‘F.’ Education has not improved, but spending has doubled per pupil. It’s time to return the power back to the states and back to the people and back to the school boards to allow them to make these decisions locally.”
Congressman Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma quoted President Ronald Reagan, who called for dismantling the Departments of Energy and Education.
Brecheen said though many cannot remember a time when the Department of Education wasn’t around, America “flourished” for 200 years and had rigorous education absent the federal Department of Education.
“I contend if we want to empower parents, end the hyper-sexualized woke culture that’s invading our classrooms, we need to give school board members and parents the ability to determine the education of their children and empower them by returning to the brilliance of our founding fathers,” he said. “The 18 enumerated powers that list those things that the federal government should do — education is not mentioned.”
Massie said for those concerned about finding additional funding for education, they could start by eliminating the 4,000 bureaucrats being paid in D.C. who do not teach or write books.
“Quit wasting it in Washington D.C.,” he said. “The federal government is responsible for about 90 percent of the red tape that local schools have to deal with and only about 10 percent of the funding. It’s time to change that equation.
“The teachers know what to teach and how to teach. They don’t need the federal government telling them. What your child learns or how your child learns shouldn’t be dependent upon who won the presidential election and who became Secretary of Education. It’s too important to leave it up to that. You need to leave it up to your community, to the teachers and the parents.”
Awesome for Rep. Massie!! And shame on the Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson!!! She is my Iowa Representative to congress. At a time when Iowa streamlines it’s own state government she votes against the idea on a federal level. Less government is better for the people than more!! This is prime example why “ voting for good people “ fails in every aspect. I do not support that theory as it has NEVER brought desired results! That is why Tama County censured her for her vote on the (DIS) Respect for Marriage Act.
It’d be interesting to know how much money was given them to vote against. By teacher’s unions? or what? Massie is right.
Figures. These reps might as well be called Democrat-lite. I knew Nunn was a RINO, but I hoped he might be an improvement over Axne. He still supports never-ending wars and regime changes overseas and has done nothing to promote US border security except pretend to care.