Lauren Boebert wants the Department of Education gone. It’s not just a passing comment or a stray tweet. She actually co-sponsored a bill—H.R. 2691 in the 119th Congress—to dismantle the whole thing.
The idea of shutting down a massive federal agency sounds like something out of a political thriller, but for Boebert, it’s a core policy goal. She’s been vocal about this for years. Honestly, if you follow her on social media, you’ve probably seen her rail against "woke" curriculum and "federal overreach." But what does her plan actually look like on paper? It’s a lot more than just locking the doors and turning off the lights at the D.C. headquarters.
The Push to Abolish the Department of Education
The legislation Boebert supports isn't technically her own bill; it was introduced by Representative Barry Moore of Alabama. Boebert joined as a high-profile co-sponsor. The goal? Abolish the Department of Education within 30 days of the bill passing.
That’s a fast timeline.
Basically, the bill seeks to terminate almost every program under the department's umbrella. However, it doesn't just delete the money. Instead, it proposes a "block grant" system. Under this plan, the federal government would take the money it usually spends on education and send it directly to the states. The logic here is that local leaders—and more importantly, parents—know how to spend that money better than bureaucrats in Washington.
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But there are some exceptions. The bill doesn’t touch the Federal Pell Grant Program or the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Those would get moved over to the Department of the Treasury. Why? Because thousands of students rely on those for college, and moving them is a way to keep the financial aid flowing while still killing the agency that currently manages them.
Why Boebert Wants the Agency Gone
Boebert’s beef with the Dept of Education usually boils down to three main things:
- Local Control: She argues that the Constitution doesn't actually give the federal government the power to run schools.
- Parental Rights: You've probably heard her talk about "domestic terrorists." This refers to a 2021 DOJ memo regarding threats against school board members. Boebert used this as a rallying cry, claiming the federal government was targeting parents who spoke up at meetings.
- Curriculum Wars: She’s a fierce opponent of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and "woke gender propaganda." To her, the Department of Education is the engine that pushes these ideas into local classrooms.
She’s famously said that "one size does not fit all" when it comes to kids. Being a mom of four boys, she leans heavily on her personal experience. She believes that a kid in rural Silt, Colorado, has different needs than a kid in downtown New York City, and the federal government shouldn't be trying to treat them the same.
The Real Impact on Rural Schools
This is where it gets tricky. Boebert represents a lot of rural territory. Interestingly, she has fought for programs like PILT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes). This program is huge for rural areas because the federal government owns a ton of land in the West that can't be taxed. PILT provides $515 million to help those schools stay afloat.
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Critics of her "abolish" plan point out a massive contradiction. If you get rid of the Department of Education, you risk losing the specialized oversight that ensures rural or underfunded districts get their fair share. Organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) argue that federal funding makes up about 6% of public school budgets in her district. That might sound small, but it adds up to over $100 million. Losing that would mean a 6% hike in local property taxes just to break even.
School Choice and the "Trojan Horse"
Boebert is also a massive supporter of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). This is a big one. It’s not about direct funding; it’s about tax credits.
Essentially, it encourages people and businesses to donate to scholarship organizations. In return, they get a federal tax credit. These scholarships then help kids attend private or charter schools.
People who like this idea call it "freedom." People who hate it call it a "Trojan horse" for vouchers that drain money away from public schools. In late 2025, several Democratic governors, including those in New Mexico and Oregon, flat-out refused to participate in federal programs that mirrored this approach, citing concerns about accountability.
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What Most People Get Wrong
It’s easy to think Boebert is just "anti-education." But if you look at her voting record, it’s more about where the money comes from and who gets to hold the checkbook.
- She’s introduced amendments to increase funding for the Office of Inspector General within the Dept of Education.
- Why? Because she wants to hunt down "fraud and corruption."
- She’s also pushed for 25% of forestry revenue to be reinvested directly into local schools through her forest management bills.
So, it's not that she wants zero money for schools. She just wants the money to bypass the federal "middleman."
The Political Reality in 2026
Let’s be real: the chances of the Department of Education actually being abolished are slim. It would require a massive shift in the Senate and a president willing to sign away an entire cabinet-level agency.
However, the conversation itself is changing the landscape. Even if the department stays, Boebert and her allies have successfully pushed the needle toward more "school choice" options and more scrutiny on how federal funds are used to influence local curriculum.
Actionable Takeaways for Parents and Voters
If you’re trying to navigate how these policies might affect your local school, here’s what to look for:
- Follow the Block Grants: If legislation like H.R. 2691 ever gains traction, your state legislature becomes the most important political body in your life. They would decide how those billions are spent.
- Check Local Tax Credits: Look into whether your state currently offers tax-credit scholarships. This is the "school choice" mechanism Boebert is pushing for at the federal level.
- Monitor PILT Funding: If you live in a rural area with a lot of federal land, keep an eye on Payment In Lieu of Taxes. Any major shake-up in federal education funding usually puts these specific rural lifelines at risk.
- Engage at the School Board level: Regardless of what happens in D.C., Boebert’s primary message is that the "real power" should be at the local board. Attending these meetings is the most direct way to see how federal or state policies are actually being implemented in your kid's classroom.
The debate over the Lauren Boebert Dept of Education stance isn't going away. Whether you think she's a champion for parental rights or a threat to public infrastructure, her legislative push is a blueprint for how a significant portion of Congress wants to reshape American schooling. It’s a move away from the "Department" and a move toward the "District."