House Democrat Seeks to Impeach McMahon

A House Democrat who serves on the education committee plans to launch an effort to impeach Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon said Wednesday that McMahon violated her oath of office as well as federal law by transferring dozens of programs at the Education Department to other federal agencies without Congress’s consent. Bonamici’s announcement comes after the Trump administration said Tuesday it was shifting civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department and management of special education programs to the Health and Human Services Department.

Democrats do not currently control either chamber of Congress, so this resolution is unlikely to move forward. But Bonamici’s announcement offers a glimpse into how Democrats could wield their power if they win back the House this fall.

The minority party has argued for months that these agreements outsourcing administration of the Education Department are illegal, but McMahon and other officials have defended the approach, arguing the programs themselves aren’t affected. So far, the administration has reached 14 agreements with other federal agencies concerning the programs and responsibilities of ED.

Bonamici said in the news release that these agreements amount to “dismantling and demolishing the Department of Education, something she does not have authority to do.”

“Congress created the Department and it would take an Act of Congress to shut it down,” Bonamici added. “I will not stand by and let McMahon destroy the federal programs, funding and research that are critical to public schools and the millions of students they serve.”

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment.