Rep. Summer Lee Applauds Federal Court Ruling to Halt Trump Administration’s Efforts to Dismantle Department of Education
**For Immediate Release**
Rep. Summer Lee Applauds Federal Court Ruling to Halt Trump Administration’s Efforts to Dismantle Department of Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 22, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, released the following statement after a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, ordering the reinstatement of staff wrongfully terminated as part of the administration’s efforts. The court cited an amicus brief signed by 192 House Democrats, including Congresswoman Lee, which was submitted in April to defend the Department and protect the nation’s education system.
“This ruling is a powerful victory for students, teachers, and families across the country—and a critical affirmation that no president can bypass Congress to carry out extreme, unilateral attacks on our public institutions,” said Rep. Lee. “I was proud to join nearly 200 of my Democratic colleagues in signing onto this brief to stand up for the Department of Education and the rights of our communities to a strong and equitable public education system. The courts have made it clear: Donald Trump cannot dismantle the Department of Education by fiat.”
“In PA-12 and across the country, our public schools are already under strain. The idea that a president could try to eliminate the Department tasked with supporting them—without even consulting Congress—is dangerous and unacceptable. Today’s decision is a crucial win in our continued fight to safeguard democracy, uphold the Constitution, and protect the right of every child to a quality education.”
The amicus brief, filed by House Democrats’ Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force, played a central role in the decision issued today in State of New York v. Linda McMahon. Today’s ruling cited the Member of Congress’s argument multiple times, with the judge noting President Donald Trump cannot make solitary decisions regarding the agency’s organization or function without congressional approval.
Congresswoman Lee remains committed to fighting for public education and resisting any efforts to undermine it.
Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs. Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.