Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) has introduced a legislative package aimed at transferring key functions of the Department of Education (DOE) to the Department of Labor. The proposed bills, titled the 'Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education' and 'Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education' acts, are part of a broader effort to reduce federal education bureaucracy and enhance the focus on students and families.
The legislation seeks to shift responsibilities for K-12 and higher education programs from the DOE to the Labor Department while maintaining the existing programs. Harris stated that the goal is to support student success by removing federal hurdles. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) supported this initiative, emphasizing that education policy should prioritize student success over federal bureaucracy.
This legislative effort follows previous actions by the Trump administration, which included transferring certain DOE responsibilities to other agencies. Education Secretary Linda McMahon previously described these shifts as a means to reduce federal micromanagement in education. The proposed bills would codify these changes, ensuring continuity in education services amidst potential future administrative changes.