The Senate education committee dealt a significant blow to President Trump's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education on Thursday, advancing a bipartisan bill that would block the executive branch from transferring key programs to other federal agencies.

Senator Tim Kaine negotiated the measure, which passed the committee with support from both Republicans and Democrats. The bill specifically prevents the administration from offloading special education oversight, K-12 programs, and other core Education Department functions to agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.

Bipartisan Rebuke of Executive Overreach

The committee vote represents a rare instance of Senate Republicans breaking with the president on a major policy initiative. Trump has made abolishing the Education Department a central promise of his administration, arguing that education should be controlled at the state and local level rather than by Washington bureaucrats.

In June, the administration moved oversight of special education and civil rights enforcement out of the Education Department, transferring those responsibilities to HHS and other agencies. The Senate bill would reverse those transfers and prohibit future moves without congressional approval.

"The executive branch cannot simply gut an agency by executive order," Kaine said after the vote. "These programs serve millions of students and families. Congress has the authority and responsibility to determine how they are administered."

Trump's Dismantling Plan Faces Roadblocks

The president's broader effort to eliminate the Education Department has struggled to gain traction in Congress. While Republicans rhetorically support reducing federal involvement in education, many represent districts that depend heavily on federal education funding and programs mandated by law.

The committee's action shows Trump does not have the votes to fully abolish the department, which would require legislation. Instead, the administration has pursued an incremental strategy of transferring programs and cutting staff, aiming to hollow out the agency from within.

The bipartisan bill would halt that approach, requiring that special education, K-12 grants, student loan programs, and civil rights enforcement remain under the Education Department's jurisdiction. The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Politics of Education Reform

Education Week reported that the committee vote signals significant opposition to Trump's restructuring plans even within his own party. Senators from both parties expressed concern that shifting programs to agencies without education expertise would harm students with disabilities and vulnerable populations.

The administration had argued that consolidating education functions into larger agencies would improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic overhead. Critics countered that the moves were designed to weaken federal protections and enforcement mechanisms that ensure equal access to education.

The bill's advancement comes as Trump's approval ratings have fallen into the low 30s ahead of the November midterm elections. Democrats hope to capitalize on voter concerns about education funding and protections for students with special needs.

If the bill passes the full Senate and House, Trump would face a choice between signing legislation that blocks his signature education initiative or vetoing a bipartisan measure with strong political support. The standoff could become a defining issue in the closing months of the midterm campaign.