92 Education, Civil Rights, and Disability Organizations’ Joint Statement in Opposition to Legislation to Provide Cover to the Administration’s Illegal Dismantling of the Department of Education

July 15, 2026 - 03:41

A coalition of 92 organizations spanning education, civil rights, and disability advocacy has issued a joint statement opposing a package of bills scheduled for markup this week in the House Education and Workforce Committee. The groups argue the legislation is designed to provide legal and political cover for what they call the administration's illegal dismantling of the Department of Education.

The statement warns that the proposed bills would undermine federal protections for students, particularly those from marginalized communities. The coalition includes major civil rights groups, disability rights organizations, and national education associations. They contend that the legislation does not address real problems in education but instead creates a pretext to weaken the department's oversight role.

Key concerns include the potential rollback of civil rights enforcement, reduced funding for special education, and the elimination of programs that support low-income students. The organizations call on lawmakers to reject the bills and instead focus on strengthening the Department of Education's ability to ensure equal access to quality education for all students. The markup is expected to draw significant debate as the committee considers the controversial package.