Washington (March 20, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after the Trump administration announced it would dismantle the Department of Education.

“President Trump, Elon Musk, and Secretary McMahon have a clear education agenda: stealing from public schools to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Dismantling the Department of Education is just code for cuts to public schools, educators, students, and parents. Their anti-student, anti-family, anti-educator plan to dismantle the Department will harm every community across the country. They are attempting to privatize education, locking the promise of opportunity in an ivory tower accessible only to those born into the right circumstances.

“In Massachusetts, we know that investing in public education is the formula for thriving communities. I will never stop fighting for students, educators, families, and our future.”

Senator Markey is fighting back against the Trump administration’s attacks on public education and standing up for students, educators, and their families. On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, which would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration. Federal funds support public schools in every community in America, including by providing funding for students with disabilities, low-income students, homeless students, English learners, and students in rural schools. In 2024, the Department of Education provided more than $720 million to support public schools in Massachusetts. On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.

On February 6, 2025, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education. 

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