Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) at an Event in Portland Several Years Ago.

Today, in response to news that President Trump has signed an Executie Order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to dismantle the DOE, Congrsswoman Chelllie Pingree released the following statement late this afternoon:

“The President cannot unilaterally shut down the Department of Education (DoED).  It was established by an act of Congress.  To dismantle it — as this extremely  harmful Executive Order sets out to do — would also require congressional action.  This is basic constitutional law.  Sadly, the President has shown time and again that he doesn’t care about the Constitution, or about the impacts his desctructive actions will have on everyday Americans.

Eliminating the Department would have devastaing consequences for students, parents and educators throughout the country — including here in Maine.  Our schools receive more than $250 million a year through DoED, including $61 million for disadvantaged districts; $72 mllion for students with disabilities; $6.5 mlllion for before and after school programs, $30 milion for workforce development initiatives; and $75 million for Pell grants.

All of it is in jeopardy now.

Let’s call this what it is:  an attack on our kids, on parents, on communities and on the very idea of public education.  It will result in less support for education here in Maine and very likely lead to higher local property taxes.

All so that Republicans can  give huge tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk.