House Republican to introduce legislation so Trump can shutter Education Dept through Congress

Ohio GOP Rep. Michael Rulli says he will soon introduce legislation to allow President Donald Trump to shutter the Education Department through Congress.  

Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin taking steps to close the department. However, dismantling a federal agency requires an act of Congress.

Rulli told Fox News Digital Thursday that he would be introducing the legislation soon but didn't specify when. 

He said his legislation would allow funding for resources for children with special needs, Title I programs and Pell Grants to come from other federal departments.

"Having served on my local school board for eight years, I’ve seen firsthand how our schools serve as the backbone of our communities," he said. "This executive order empowers states to better address the unique needs of their communities and amplifies the voices of local school leaders."

While Trump cannot outright abolish the DOE without an act of Congress, he can essentially hollow it out by firing staff and routing essential programs to other departments.

Prior to the president's order signing Thursday, McMahon had already moved to drastically cut the department’s staff and nearly halved its total headcount.