President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to take apart an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives.

Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, completing its dismantling is most likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. Republicans said they will introduce a bill to achieve that.

What are Pennsylvania’s federal lawmakers saying about the order?

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-04)

Today, President Trump signed an executive order dismantling the Department of Education — a direct attack on our children, their families, and their right to a quality education.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/8COrGy0qHX

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) March 20, 2025

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-05)

President Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education will put our children’s schools at risk, disrupting funding for special education and low income students, and making college more expensive.

We must reject this administration’s attacks on public… pic.twitter.com/VX0OyENPsQ

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) March 20, 2025

Congressman Scott Perry (R-10)

The Constitution provides no mandate for the federal government to be involved in education — for a reason.

The responsibility of educating our children was rightfully entrusted to the States, and I support its return to them — while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted… pic.twitter.com/Ksg2iyYY6M

— Rep. Scott Perry (@RepScottPerry) March 20, 2025

Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-11)

Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District is home to exceptional public-school districts, private schools, and parochial schools. That is not by accident. Our schools are great because of engaged parents, dedicated educators, and communities who care—not because of any mandates…

— Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) March 20, 2025

Congresswomen Summer Lee (D-12)

Trump’s action to illegally dismantle the Department of Education is dangerous and would abandon our children and our communities.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/JqdHnvtisO

— Rep. Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) March 20, 2025