1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Dismantling the Department of Education would have disastrous consequences for students across the country, particularly those from vulnerable populations such as low-income families, rural communities, and students with disabilities. The Department plays a crucial role in enforcing civil rights laws, supporting students with disabilities, promoting equal educational opportunities, and administering federal funding programs that make education accessible to all. Eliminating the Department jeopardizes essential services and protections for millions of students. It threatens critical support for 7.5 million students with disabilities who rely on the Department to ensure they receive the quality education they deserve. Rural and low-income students would lose access to federal funding that bridges gaps in educational opportunity. The Department's oversight is vital for ensuring these funds are spent as Congress intended to uplift underserved communities. Shuttering the Department would upend systems that place higher education within reach for working families through programs like Pell Grants and student loan services. It invites discrimination by removing enforcement of civil rights laws in schools. Ultimately, dismantling the Department leaves our most vulnerable students without vital resources and advocacy, exacerbating inequities in education. I urge you to take immediate action to protect the Department of Education and the invaluable role it plays in safeguarding every student's right to an equitable, high-quality education. The consequences of its elimination would undermine the futures of millions of children and the strength of our national education system.