Impact of Republicans' Budget on Education

Jun 05, 2025

On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 1,100-page budget proposal by a single-vote margin. This sweeping bill consolidates a wide array of Republican priorities to deliver tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy—at the expense of everyone else. Not only will this bill result in a massive transfer of wealth, it will also allow the wealthy to get wealthier and make it more difficult for the majority of Americans to build wealth for themselves, their children, and future generations.

Central to the ideal of America is the notion that every American is equal and should have an equal chance to live a productive and comfortable life. The opportunity to get a high-quality education has long been a key way for individuals to realize their dreams. America’s public education system and public university system are essential for this to happen.

Consistent with other actions of the Administration, the budget bill shifts funding from public education to a federal tax-credit voucher system. First, let's examine what the budget bill includes for ED’s core funding programs:

Funding for low-income schools is cut by $13.7 billion or 25% (Title I).
Funding for professional development for school staff is eliminated (Title II-A, previously funded at $2.19 billion).
Funding for English Language Learners is eliminated (Title III, previously funded at $890 million).
Funding for student supports and enrichment (Title IV-A) and Special Education (IDEA) remain basically flat ($1.4 billion and $14.2 billion, respectively).

The budget bill also eliminates ED’s Assistance for Arts Education program, which is currently funded at $36 million.

The budget adds a new program: a Federal Tax-Credit Voucher Program. This national school choice initiative allows up to $5 billion per year in federal tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations. Donors receive a dollar-for-dollar credit, making this far more generous than typical charitable deductions. Funds donated under this program can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and other education costs. Crucially, the vouchers are not limited to low-income families; households earning up to 300% of their area’s median income (over $200,000 in some regions) would qualify. National Education Association President Becky Pringle noted that this weakens public education by siphoning funding from public schools, which serve 90% of children.

If that is not enough to weaken public education, the budget bill cuts to agencies beyond ED further undermine schools:

A $300 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will reduce food access for millions of children. Experts estimate that 12 to 18 million children may lose access to free school meals. Hunger significantly hinders children's ability to concentrate and succeed in school.
Cuts to Medicaid, which provides about $7.5 billion to K–12 schools, will affect services like speech therapy, mental health counseling, and school nursing. Medicaid is the fourth-largest federal funding stream for schools.
Funding for NASA programs that support educator training, student STEM challenges, and educational outreach is eliminated—effectively stripping NASA of its role in inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Cuts to the National Science Foundation’s education budget threaten STEM teacher training and student research opportunities.
The elimination of the EPA’s Environmental Education Grants ends school-based projects focused on civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
The State Department’s educational and cultural exchange programs are cut, reducing opportunities for study abroad, classroom partnerships, and global leadership.
Cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts’ education programs would eliminate access to arts instruction, visiting artists, and creative enrichment opportunities for students.

One area of continued support remains: The U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools program was extended, continuing assistance to over 4,000 school districts located near national forests.

These cuts to public education, while painful, are not surprising. The conservative movement has a long track record of attempting to weaken public education, primarily by promoting school privatization. Charter schools, voucher programs, and homeschooling initiatives have grown significantly as a result. Weakening public education is also part of the authoritarian playbook—authoritarian movements often target education systems first, seeking to control what people learn and believe.

If passed by the Senate and signed by the President, this bill won’t just change how our government spends money—it will reduce opportunity, security, and hope for millions of students. A nation that guts its public schools is a nation walking away from its future.

Impact of Republicans' Budget on Education

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