GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2025

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION DRHJR40631-BX-5A

A JOINT RESOLUTION urging members of the united states congress To support the devolution of power from the U.S. Department of education to the states.

Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and education is not enumerated as a responsibility of the federal government; and

Whereas, the United States Department of Education's creation in 1980 has led to significant federal overreach in education through burdensome regulations and one‑size‑fits‑all mandates; and

Whereas, despite an annual budget of $60 billion and another $276 billion in one‑time spending for COVID‑19 recovery efforts, 4th and 8th grade reading scores remain roughly unchanged since the early 1990s when national measurements first began; and

Whereas, states and local communities possess unique knowledge of their students' educational needs and are best positioned to develop the curriculum and policies that reflect their values and priorities; and

Whereas, President Trump has publicly expressed a desire to eliminate the United States Department of Education and rightfully put the states back in charge of education; and

Whereas, the elimination of the United States Department of Education is not only a constitutional necessity but will also cause taxpayer dollars to be spent more efficiently and lead to better student outcomes; and

Whereas, eliminating the United States Department of Education will not remove federal education funding initiatives and programs available to the states; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly of North Carolina supports federal efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education and urges the United States Congress to fully cooperate with these efforts.

SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.