Democrats Demand ED Reverse Plans to Close Office for English Learners

May 13, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON – Today, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), along with 56 Democrats, warned the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that the Department of Education’s reported plan to eliminate the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) will significantly harm millions of students across the country. Specifically, the Members warned that dismantling OELA would undermine federal support for approximately 5.3 million English learners and weaken the Department’s ability to administer Title III programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act effectively.  The Members urged the Department to halt any efforts to eliminate OELA and provide transparency regarding any future actions that could affect support for English learners. “It stretches credulity that the Department could determine whether such proficiency was occurring without having an office specifically designed to assess the learning of English,” said the Members . “The Department’s decision will undoubtably disrupt the administration of programs designed to support English learners.” OELA provides grants for language instruction, educator training, and critical resources for multilingual students.  Eliminating OELA will create inefficiencies, reduce oversight and accountability, jeopardize nearly $900 million in funding, and ultimately undermine civil rights protections and Congress’s intent to ensure equitable educational opportunities. The letter was signed by Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Greg Casar (TX-35), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), John Garamendi (CA-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Ed Case (HI-01), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Sean Casten (IL-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Analilia Mejia (NJ-11). To read the full letter, click here . Issues : Civil Rights Education