By Kaleb Harmon
Office of Congresswoman Alma S. Adams

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workplace Safety and a former teacher of 40 years, released a statement on President Trump’s executive order attempting to dismantle the Department of Education (ED).

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) is speaking out against plans to dismantle the Department of Education. Credit: AP Photo/Gerry Broome

Nationally, this executive order threatens 26 million students across the country, taking billions away from their educational futures.

“Executive orders are not laws and only Congress has the ability to abolish a federal department,” said Congresswoman Adams, in a statement. “President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education is blatantly unconstitutional and is yet another effort to sidestep the authority of Congress. This will be challenged in court and, make no mistake, we will win. The Department of Education was established through an act of Congress and only an act of Congress can abolish it.

“It is cruel just for the sake of it and targets our most vulnerable children. Students with disabilities rely on the ED for special programming and funding,” she continued. “Hungry kids use ED funds for free school lunches, oftentimes their only reliable meal throughout the day. Low-income students use their schooling to build a better life for themselves.”

“I have always been a champion for education and I invite my Republican colleagues to be the same. Let’s put partisanship aside, work together, and stand against this unconstitutional action so we can stand for our children’s futures.”

Adams believes that President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education is a war on the country’s students and children. In information released by her office, she noted that in North Carolina:

  • The Department of Education funds 10.9 percent of funding for North Carolina’s public schools at $1.1 billion.
  • The salaries of 14,000 NC public school educators and staff are paid through federal education funding.
  • The economic impact would be overwhelming. Public schools are the largest employer in 44 NC counties and a top five employer in every county in the state.
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have 17,000 students with disabilities, 40,000 students on the free student lunch program, and 105 Title I schools. All will be harmed by this decision.