H.R. 2456 would eliminate the Department of Education by October 1, 2026, and distribute its functions across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Treasury, National Science Foundation, Department of Labor, Department of Interior, and Department of Justice. The bill argues that the Education Department has failed to improve U.S. education outcomes over its 45-year existence and proposes returning education authority to states and local communities. To accomplish the shutdown, the bill requires the President to develop a comprehensive liquidation plan within 180 days and establishes a new Office of Education within HHS to oversee the transition, led by a presidentially-appointed Director with two assistants. Specific programs would transfer to different agencies—for example, special education and K-12 programs to HHS, higher education grants to Treasury and the National Science Foundation, vocational programs to Labor, and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice. The legislation includes provisions to ensure that existing contracts, legal proceedings, and lawsuits continue without interruption under the receiving agencies.
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