FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2025
PHOENIX – House Assistant Democratic Leader Nancy Gutierrez, a public-school teacher who is the caucus ranking member on the House Education Committee, spoke out today against President Trump's illegal action to try to shut down the U.S. Department of Education by ordering layoffs of up to 50 percent of its personnel. Trump is reportedly weighing an executive order to eliminate the Department altogether, an act that cannot by law occur without Congressional approval. If the Department's functions cease, Arizona students and public schools stand to lose nearly $1 billion in annual funding, and more than 20,000 teachers and other education specialists could lose their jobs. Federal funding is especially vital for lower-income Title 1 schools, special education, help for students with disabilities, as well as grants for rural and Tribal schools.
"It takes an act of Congress to abolish a federal agency, not a decree by a wannabe monarch," Gutierrez said. "This is a rogue administration that has handed over your private data and banking information to Elon Musk and his cronies, and now Trump wants to devastate and destroy public education in the nation he pledged to lead – not to exploit and strip for parts. Gutting the Department of Education will be devastating for Arizona – especially for those students and families with the highest needs. This country and our state deserve better. I have no doubt this illegal act will be challenged in court, but how much damage will he do to our state, to our kids and to our economy by sowing chaos? It is long past time for members of Congress to stand up for the people they represent and defend their role in the American system of government before he waves his wand and takes that away too."
-30-
Comments