The federal government is bloated. And there’s only one way to fix it.
That’s why Trump is about to dissolve a huge government agency that sent Democrats into hysterics.
The Ohio General Assembly has passed a joint resolution urging Congress to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, marking a symbolic but notable step in ongoing debates over federal versus state control of education policy.
The measure, approved on February 11, 2026, calls for eliminating the federal department and returning authority—and corresponding funding—to states, local communities, and families. It also directs the creation of a state task force, with a 120-day timeline, to develop a detailed plan for Ohio to assume full responsibility over federal education grants, special education initiatives, and civil rights enforcement functions currently handled by the department.
Ohio Resolution Aligns with Broader Push for State-Led Education
The resolution reaffirms principles of federalism, asserting that education is not a power explicitly delegated to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution and has traditionally been managed at the state and local levels.
Republican sponsors, including Sen. Andrew Brenner (R), chair of the Ohio Senate’s education committee, emphasized readiness to assume greater responsibility.
Brenner stated, “Today, we have delivered by being proactive as a state,” and added, “Ohio is ready to lead the way in educational freedom and accountability to our families.”
The effort received support from federal officials aligned with the Trump administration’s priorities. Education Secretary Linda McMahon met with Ohio leaders and representatives from the America First Policy Institute to discuss the resolution.
A department spokeswoman, Savannah Newhouse, commented, “We are inspired by states like Ohio that are ready to carry this torch to transform classrooms into engines of opportunity for every child.”
Erika Donalds, chair of education opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, described the move as forward-thinking, saying, “Ohio is stepping up to lead, and it’s exactly the direction the country needs to go.”
This action builds on President Trump’s campaign pledge to dismantle the department, including executive actions to reduce its scope and redirect programs to other agencies, though full abolition would require congressional approval since the department was established by law in 1979.
Challenges and Context for Federal Role in Education
While the resolution highlights conservative arguments that federal involvement—particularly through funding conditions—has sometimes imposed policies on issues like curriculum standards, race, and gender identity, it remains largely symbolic at the national level.
Similar Republican-sponsored bills in Congress, such as H.R. 899 and H.R. 2691 in the 119th Congress, have sought to terminate or restructure the department but have not advanced significantly. Democratic strategist James Carville noted the political hurdles, stating it’s “really hard to see it happening” given slim legislative majorities and the need for bipartisan support to repeal the underlying statute.
Ohio’s initiative reflects a divide in views on education governance: proponents argue that eliminating the department would reduce bureaucracy, enhance local flexibility, and direct resources more efficiently to classrooms, while critics maintain that federal oversight ensures consistent protections, equity in funding, and enforcement of civil rights in education nationwide. The resolution does not alter current federal operations but adds Ohio’s voice to calls for structural change.
