Bill · H.Res. 237· House(119-HRES-237)
Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Education to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the reduction in force and other downsizing measures at the Department of Education.
- Introduced
- 3/21/2025
- Last activity
- 4/29/2025 — Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 25.
- Sponsored by
- Robert Scott
- Cosponsors
- - 15 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution is an inquiry that requests the President and directs the Secretary of Education to provide specific documents to the House of Representatives. The requested materials include unredacted copies of all communications, records, and legal opinions. These documents must be transmitted within 14 days of the resolution's adoption. The inquiry focuses on the potential closure of the Department of Education and various downsizing measures. It specifically seeks information regarding a March 3, 2025, communication titled "Our Department's Final Mission." Finally, it requests information on whether remaining staff would be able to enforce various federal education and civil rights laws.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The resolution directs the transmission of unredacted documents to the House to provide oversight of agency closure and downsizing.
The opposite· 3 of 7
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The resolution's inquiry into the closure and downsizing of the Department of Education relates to the potential elimination of a major federal agency.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-2
The resolution mentions the Age Discrimination Act, which is relevant to age-based protections.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?-2
The inquiry addresses the enforcement of Title VI, which protects against racial discrimination.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency and Accountability: The resolution seeks unredacted documents, including electronic mail, telephone records, and meeting notes, which could provide the House of Representatives with a clear understanding of the Department of Education's future (Resolution, Section 1).
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Oversight of Agency Changes: By requesting information on the closure of the Department of Education and reduction in force measures, the resolution aims to provide information regarding the downsizing of the agency (Resolution, Section 1, subsections 1 and 2).
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Monitoring Law Enforcement Capabilities: The resolution requests documentation regarding whether remaining staff would be sufficient to execute several federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Title IX (Resolution, Section 1, subsection 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Lack of Specific Information on Direct Impacts: While the resolution seeks information regarding the closure and downsizing of the Department of Education, the text itself does not provide the specific outcomes or impacts that these actions would have on individuals (Resolution, Section 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans-2Good For People With Disabilities-2Good For Seniors-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights-2Improves Racial Equity-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice-2
- 4/29/2025
- Reported adversely (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-84.
- Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 25.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported Adversely (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 12.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/21/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 14 Cosponsors added.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Joe CourtneyDemocrat · Connecticut
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
John MannionDemocrat · New York
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida