(The Center Square)–Eighty-six House Democrats are urging the U.S. Department of Education to stop plans to transfer two key offices to other federal agencies, arguing the move exceeds the administration’s legal authority and could weaken federal protections for students.
In a letter to the department, the lawmakers said the Trump administration’s proposal to move the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Health and Human Services violates congressional authority.
Lawmakers argue that only Congress can eliminate them or change their responsibilities.
The administration announced in June that it would move civil rights and special education programs to other agencies as part of its broader effort to dismantle the Department of Education.
In the letter, Democrats argued the transfers would not only face legal challenges but also reduce the effectiveness of services provided to students and families.
“The movement of OCR and OSERS … disrespects the very people who rely on those services. Specifically, these moves effectively segregate special education from the rest of the education system, moving it to an agency that has indicated it intends to treat disabilities as a health issue to be remedied, against the wishes of groups that advocate on behalf of disabled children and their families,” the letter said. “Such action is particularly concerning given the inaccurate and harmful comments from the HHS Secretary regarding children diagnosed with autism.”
‘Flatly false’
Department of Education Press Secretary Savannah Newhouse rejected those criticisms, saying the changes would not diminish federal civil rights protections or services for students with disabilities.
“Congressional Democrats are either completely ignorant to the collapse of American education, or they are actively rooting for the bureaucracy over our children,” Newhouse told The Center Square. “Their desperate fearmongering, claiming students will lose guaranteed federal support, is flatly false.
“Under ED’s partnership with DOJ, families retain the exact same direct line to staff for civil rights complaints. Furthermore, OSERS staff remain fully committed to protecting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with bolstered support from HHS — an agency that already successfully manages grants and programs that serve individuals with disabilities,” Newhouse added.
In further efforts to dismantle the department, the administration removed the disparate impact tool from the agency’s regulation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prompting a joint statement from 60 civil rights and education organizations.
“Every student, no matter their background, has the right to pursue their education free from discrimination,” the statement said. “[T]his administration is determined to undermine our laws, abandon civil rights enforcement, and deny the existence of systemic discrimination.”
The Department of Education stated that while disparate-impact liability has been used for decades, the Obama administration expanded its use as an enforcement tool, which the department argued resulted in schools being required to consider race in disciplinary decisions.
Among the organizations signing the joint statement was the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
Michael Pillera, director of the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, one of the 60 organizations that signed the joint statement, told The Center Square in an interview that the administration’s actions to dismantle itself destroy the very infrastructure of civil rights enforcement.
Pillera previously worked at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for 10 years, serving under the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations.
Pillera said the administration’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education would have three major effects: weaponizing civil rights law in ways that harm school communities, eliminating protections for students, and weakening the infrastructure needed to enforce civil rights laws.
Removes necessary functions
Moving OCR to the DOJ removes the necessary functions that the Department must have to get its job done effectively, Pillera said.
“It is a place that anyone can go, a parent, a teacher, a student, and very quickly, completely free and easy, file a complaint. And at the other side of that is an OCR attorney who assesses that complaint, investigates that complaint is appropriate, and remedies any discrimination if there is discrimination,” Pillera said. “And that is what you lose … parceling it out to DOJ.”
Pillera also argued the administration lacks the authority to move the offices without congressional approval.
“Congress only has the authority to change that, to diminish the department, to get rid of the department, to move its functions; that is congressional action. This administration has unilaterally tried to do this in so many different ways,” Pillera told The Center Square. ”The interagency agreement is the newest way that they’ve arrived at to try to accomplish their aim of destroying the Department of Education.”
Pillera said that when Secretary McMahon says the goal is to cut red tape, it means eliminating civil rights protections for students in school communities, “which is an absolutely horrible outcome for anyone in this country.
“This is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that anywhere in this country, no matter what state you live in, that your kids can go to school in a place where they aren’t discriminated against on the basis of the race, color, national origin, disability, or sex, that they have an ability to access school and their education and learn and do all of the things we would want our kids to do and everyone else’s kids to do at school, without being discriminated against,” Pillera said.
The Center Square reached out to various members of Congress who signed the letter for a comment but did not receive a response.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
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Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.