Congressman Ryan Zinke Says He Wants to See the Department of Education Eliminated
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 20, 2025
CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org
Helena, MT— Congressman Ryan Zinke bumbled his way through another national media interview yesterday on CNN, telling anchor Wolf Blitzer he supports cutting the Department of Education entirely. This comes after news broke from the White House that President Trump plans to sign an executive order today calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education.
During the interview, Congressman Zinke acknowledged states don’t have the money to implement important programs that help poor and vulnerable children get the education they need. Zinke also pushed back saying “nobody is talking about eliminating programs, they’re eliminating the people and who can administer.”
This language raises some serious concerns about Zinke’s understanding of the critical programs formerly administered by the federal government. The following questions must be asked of Zinke and Montana’s entire congressional delegation:
Will federal funding for public education be cut in Montana? If so, by how much?
How can you ensure programs like Title I and special education will continue to receive proper funding?
Who will administer these programs now that federal employees have been fired?
Are Republicans really suggesting the same Office of Public Instruction that’s chronically understaffed and got caught misspending $67 million in federal funding is up for the task?
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