Senators Demand Probe Into Education Department Dismantling

Warren and Sanders ask congressional watchdog to investigate the transfer of Education Department functions to other agencies.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are petitioning the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. The senators allege the department is illegally winding down its functions and transferring offices to other agencies, which they say could jeopardize services for students and weaken federal support for student rights.

Why it matters

The potential dismantling of the Education Department raises concerns about the future of federal oversight and support for education programs, student rights, and the quality of technical assistance provided to states and grantees. This investigation could shed light on the administration's motivations and the potential impacts on students and schools.

The details

In a letter to the GAO, Warren, Sanders, and fellow Democrats Patty Murray and Tammy Baldwin allege the Education Department is dismantling itself through an interagency agreement that allows the Department of Labor to administer adult education, family literacy, and career and technical education programs previously housed in the Education Department. The senators worry this could create administrative inefficiencies, increase program costs, and compromise the quality of assistance to states and grantees.

  • In July 2026, Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the department's moves, saying the previous administration of education and workforce programs was 'inefficient and duplicative'.
  • In November 2026, the Education Department announced it would transfer some of its offices to other government agencies, including the departments of State, Health and Human Services, and Interior.

The players

Elizabeth Warren

A Democratic senator from Massachusetts who is leading the effort to investigate the Education Department's dismantling.

Bernie Sanders

An Independent senator from Vermont who is co-leading the investigation effort with Warren.

Patty Murray

A Democratic senator from Washington who signed the letter requesting the GAO investigation.

Tammy Baldwin

A Democratic senator from Wisconsin who signed the letter requesting the GAO investigation.

Linda McMahon

The Secretary of Education who has defended the department's moves to transfer functions to other agencies.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Students and families deserve better — we need a full independent investigation into the latest attempts to sabotage our schools.”

— Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (ABC News)

“The Trump Administration will not sit idle while students, educators, and states suffer under our broken federal education system which undermines our economy, national security, and civic health.”

— Savannah Newhouse, Education Department Spokeswoman (ABC News)

“When we hear of these changes, the Department of Education being dismantled, and then other departments then taking on similar roles — or the same roles — it's very nervous not knowing what is coming ahead. It's kind of scary.”

— Michael Brix, Peoria Federation of Teachers Union Representative (ABC News)

What’s next

The Government Accountability Office is working through its process to determine the next steps in responding to the senators' request for an investigation.

The takeaway

This investigation could shed light on the administration's motivations behind the potential dismantling of the Education Department and the potential impacts on students, schools, and the quality of federal education programs and oversight.