Sovereign States Education Restoration Act
Sponsored By: Representative Higgins (LA)
Introduced
Summary
Abolish the Department of Education and move its major programs into other federal departments while replacing many DOE grants with Treasury-run state block grants. The bill would shift administration of key education programs and set new rules for how states receive and use federal education dollars.
Show full summary
- Creates two Treasury-run state block grant programs, one for elementary and secondary education and one for postsecondary education. Each State’s allocation would match its share of students, and funds may be spent on any early childhood, K–12, or higher education purpose; grants require annual student data, audits, and civil rights compliance.
- Transfers specific DOE responsibilities to other agencies: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Indian Education to the Department of the Interior, and Pell Grants plus federal student loan programs to the Department of the Treasury.
- Gives the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division authority to enforce civil rights laws for the new grant programs and certain transferred programs. The bill authorizes appropriations equal to the total DOE FY2019 budget and caps spending so no more than 50% may fund block grants and no more than 20% may be used for administration and oversight.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
New state education block grants
This bill would create two state block grants for K–12 and for college, run by the Treasury. It would authorize funding equal to what the Education Department received in fiscal year 2019 to carry out these sections. Up to 50% could be awarded as state block grants, and up to 20% could fund administration and oversight. States would get funds based on their share of students in the prior year. States would need to send student data, complete annual audits, follow civil rights laws, and could repay or lose funds if money is misused.
Education Department would be abolished
This bill would abolish the Department of Education 270 days after enactment. Except for programs the bill explicitly transfers, programs the Department runs would be repealed. Students, families, and schools could see programs moved, changed, or ended. This could disrupt grants, loans, and services.
Special education and Impact Aid to Health Department
This bill would move IDEA and Impact Aid programs to the Department of Health and Human Services within 180 days. Families of students with disabilities could see new contacts and processes for services. Local school districts that get Impact Aid would work with HHS instead of Education. The bill does not change IDEA eligibility.
Justice Department to enforce education civil rights
This bill would give the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division the job of taking complaints and enforcing civil rights for the new block grants and several transferred programs. This includes Section 504 (disability), Title IX (sex discrimination), and Title VI (race, color, national origin). People who face discrimination in those programs could file complaints with DOJ.
Pell Grants moved to Treasury
This bill would move the Federal Pell Grant program to the Treasury within 180 days. If you get Pell Grants, who handles your award and payments could change. The bill does not change eligibility or award amounts.
Student loans moved to Treasury
This bill would move federal student loan programs to the Treasury within 180 days. If you have Direct, FFEL, Perkins, or HEAL loans, your servicer or billing contact could change. The bill does not change loan amounts, interest, or repayment rules.
Indian education programs to Interior
This bill would move Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior within 180 days. Tribes, tribal education agencies, and Native students could see new contacts and processes. The bill does not change who can get help.
Education research programs to Treasury
This bill would move federal education research and technical help programs to the Treasury within 180 days. Researchers, regional centers, and grantees would deal with a new agency. The bill does not change award rules by itself.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Higgins (LA)
LA • R
Cosponsors
Moore (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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