Congressman García’s Statement on Trump’s Decision to Eliminate the Department of Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement regarding Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education:

“Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education is a direct attack on our children’s future. It is outrageous that this administration is willing to strip public schools of critical funding, harming students, teachers, and families all to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Providing quality education to every child , regardless of their background, is a fundamental human right. Federal funds help states and districts pay for teachers, mental health support, child nutrition programs, and critical early childhood education programs. Without funds from the Department of Education, Illinois school districts will face devastating cuts, leaving children without these essential resources. In my district alone, schools stand to lose almost $100 million in funds, jeopardizing the future of thousands of lives.

“Latino students will be particularly harmed, as they represent almost one in 3 students enrolled in public education nationwide, and in cities like Chicago they represent almost 50 percent of students.

“Cutting education is not just bad policy; it's a deliberate choice to set our kids up for failure. We cannot allow these reckless attacks on our schools to go unchallenged. Our children’s future is at stake, and we must fight to protect their right to a quality public education.”

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